Salvador "Chavo" F. Rivera

Salvador Franco Rivera, affectionately known as "Chavo," left this earth to be in heaven with his parents, Ygnacio "Nacho" and Adeliada "Yaya" Rivera, his brothers Trinidad, Tony, and Santo Rivera, and his sisters Lucy Alfaro and Eleanor Sosa, on Monday, February 20, 2023. He was born on December 31, 1926, in Riverside, CA.

Chavo is survived by his wife of almost 76 years, Ofelia Arciniega Rivera, his three sons and their wives, Richard (Estella), Jerry (Linda), and Lee (Joanne). He is forever cherished and missed by his grandchildren: Jerry Rivera Jr. (Rochelle), Jason Rivera, Kristopher Rivera (Christine), Jennifer Rivera, Lauren Rivera-Herrera (Jonathan), Nicholas Rivera, Gregory Rivera (Shara), and Tawnee Adams (Jacob). He is also survived by two siblings, Margaret Lopez and Ygnacio Rivera Jr., 14 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Chavo was very proud of his accomplishments. Like many of his generation, he left school after completing the 8th grade to help support his family. Despite his lack of formal schooling, Chavo constantly pursued knowledge and skills throughout his life. He was a self-taught man and a jack-of-all-trades. He loved to learn, read the newspaper, watch the stock market, invest in real estate, and tinker in his garage. He could build you a house as well as give you advice on which stocks to invest in. Because of his interest in mechanical devices, he wished he could have pursued college and become an engineer. Due to his belief in the importance of education, he actively encouraged his children and grandchildren to attend college, with the majority of his grandchildren completing college. He led by example and was always ready to help the family with any and all projects. This quiet man was extremely proud and excited to attend his children's and grandchildren's high school and college graduations.

Chavo left behind a great legacy, demonstrating the importance of working hard and smart, quiet stoicism, and devotion to family, God, and community. He was proud of his family and was happiest at family gatherings. Some of his most cherished memories included many times spent making tamales at his mother's home and then later at his sisters Lucy's and Maggie's homes. Since 1943, he took great joy in seeing the many generations of family come together to prepare for the Rivera Christmas Tamale dinner celebration. He always ingrained in his family to love and support one another.

In his younger years, he worked as a farm laborer and truck driver. He shared many memories of his time driving trucks for Arlington Heights Citrus Packing House with his grandchildren, teaching them to work hard and take pride in themselves. He retired from the Riverside Unified School District as a warehouse supervisor after 30 years. Outside of the family, Chavo was proud of his career and activism in the Casa Blanca community. He was a charter member of the Casa Blanca Community Action Group and a past member of the Villegas Park Advisory Committee and the Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service Board. His involvement in the Casa Blanca community was ignited when he learned that the children of Casa Blanca were receiving second-hand recreational equipment at Villegas Park. He and his brother Tony championed for the same resources that other children of Riverside were receiving.

A funeral service for Salvador will be held Monday, March 27, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Anthony of Padua, 3074 Madison St, Riverside, CA 92504. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Olivewood Memorial Park, 3300 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Rivera family.