Ramiro Rivera

Ramiro Antonio Rivera Guarin, 72, of Scituate, passed away on November 17th, after a year-long battle with lung cancer. He was born on April 6, 1952, in Manizales, Colombia, to Benjamin Rivera and Rosa Guarin and was the center of a large extended family.

As the oldest son of seven children, he left school early to help support the family after his parents separated. Throughout his life, his siblings thought of him as their father. He completed his high school education and attended Massasoit Community College in his forties, after moving to the United States.

Ramiro worked in a variety of occupations, from taxi driver to tour guide. At one point, he had multiple peanut stands across the city of Bogotá. The job he loved best, however, was being a stay-at-home dad to his youngest children, describing his work as being “Mr. Mom.”

He was a great cook, a sharp dresser, and had an engaging sense of humor. There was nothing he could not fix or find a new use for. He preferred shopping for recycled clothing at Savers rather than buying new clothes. He confidently embarked on projects outside his experience, such as installing wood floors and constructing stone steps at the front entrance of his home.

Ramiro developed an interest in oil painting and created scenes from memory of his grandmother’s farm, where she cultivated coffee and managed the place on horseback. Years later, while living on the South Shore, he was a frequent and favorite customer at multiple MaryLou’s Coffee Shop locations, where he loved the coffee as well as the staff.

He enjoyed photography, chronicling the family history and capturing the beauty of nature with his frequent photos. He was a wonderful dancer, much sought after as a dance partner at parties. The first time he danced with his wife, Louellyn, it was to the song “Casa en el Aire.” He later renovated a beautiful rustic cottage on a pond, fulfilling his promise of building her that “casa en el aire.” Ramiro and Louellyn spent many beautiful and tranquil summers there.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his children: Andres, Eberth and his wife Paola, Santiago, Catalina, Will and his wife Grace, and Ben and his wife Pamela, as well as grandchildren David, Camila, Sebastian, and Valentina. He also leaves his brothers and sisters: Roselly, Rodrigo, Carmenza, Noelia, Raul, and Claudia, along with many nieces, nephews, and their children. He was in frequent contact with all of them.

Ramiro had few material needs and was always thinking of what he could do for others. He could not eat unless everyone else was fed, and he couldn’t even eat out at a restaurant without calling home to see if anyone wanted anything.

His greatest joy was his family’s dogs, Buddy and Bandit, and at meals, they could always be found by his side, as he couldn’t resist the impulse to share with them. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Friends of Scituate Dog Park.

A wake will be held on Friday, November 22nd, from 3-7 p.m. at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home in Scituate. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.