Jose Rivera, age 88, passed away October 1, 2012 at Carson Valley Senior Living of complications from Alzheimer's. He was born on June 22nd in 1924 in Sumbilla, Navarra, Spain. He was the second son of four children. He had three sisters, Esperanza, the oldest, Pilar and Amalia, the youngest. He was preceded in death by his father, Leandro; and mother, Dionisia; and his youngest sister, Amalia Graciarena.
He came to the U.S. in 1952 and worked as a sheepherder for two years and then he moved to Los Angeles to work in the meatpacking industry (Farmer John) for twenty-two years. In 1955 he met the love of his life, Emilia Malle. They were married February 4,1956 and lived in South Gate, Calif. where they had three children, Tony Rivera, Mary Rey and RoseAnne Rivera.
In 1977 they moved to Gardnerville following their daughters marriage to Jesus Rey. Jose worked at the Carson Valley Country Club along with the family for over 20 years.
Jose has two grandchildren that always brought him so much pride and happiness, Esteban and Dioni Rey. He loved traveling with his wife, especially cruising with John and Mary Manterola, fishing and playing mus with his Basque friends and family.
Jose is survived by his wife of fifty-six years; son, Tony; daughters, Mary Rey and RoseAnne Rivera; grandchildren, Esteban and Dioni Rey; sisters, Esperanza and Pilar Rivera of Spain; brother-in-law, Miguel Graciarena of Calif.; sister-in-law, Mary Manterola of Wash., Tomi Malle of Los Angeles.
We are so grateful to all the caregivers at Carson Valley Senior Living for all their loving care. We could not have done it without them. Also we appreciate the care he got from Vista Care Hospice.
There will be a funeral mass at St. Galls Catholic Church in Gardnerville October 5th at 11:00 A.M. preceded by a viewing at 10:00 and Rosary at 10:30. Following the funeral, a Christian Burial will be held at Eastside Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jose Rivera's name to the Alzheimer's Association.