Albert Rivera

Albert Joseph Rivera

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Albert Rivera. Albert was married for 63 beautiful years to and is survived by Teresita (Terry) Vigil Rivera. He was the loving father to five children: Michael (Steve Truitt), Donna, Anthony, Maria (Justin Najaka) and Dominick (Jessica Puckett). Albert & Terry were blessed with 13 grandchildren:  Gabrielle, Anthony II & Michael II Rivera (Mother: Eliza Anaya); Teresa (Jordan Reasch), Adelina (Mitchell Post) and Robert Najaka; Ariella, Isabel and Tirza Atencio (Father: Robert Atencio); and Nathaniel Mascarenas, Isaiah Mendoza, Isaac Montoya, and Navaeh Rivera. Albert was blessed with his first great-grandchild on April 3rd, Caius Justin Albert Post.  Albert is survived by his sister, Mary Frances Rivera and his aunt and uncle Viola (Lacassagne) and Horace Manzanares and brother-in-law Henry (Grace) Vigil.  He is preceded in death by his father and mother Emer and Adelina (Lacassagne) Rivera; brother, Edward Lacassagne, sister Josina Rivera Torres, father-in-law Pedro Vigil and mother-in-law, Lala Mendonca. Albert was a loving father figure to Terry’s siblings: Frances Baca (Albert), Suzie (Danny) Payne, Mariane Salazar, Dora Ortiz Sandoval and David (Elaine), Vicente, Tony (Jan) and Charlie (Rosemary) Mendonca. He is also survived by beloved cousins Gilbert and Alicia Pino.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins all whom he loved.

Albert left St. Michael’s High School to join the U.S. Navy at the age of 17.  He was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Pensacola, Florida and Norfolk, Virginia.  He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the College of Santa Fe’s night program while working full time during the day. Albert worked for the NM Oil and Gas Accounting Commission, Budget Director and certified Game Warden of the NM Game and Fish Department and Auditor at the NM National Guard.

Albert donated many hours of his time to teaching catechism; calling bingo; community outreach/weekly donut social and as a minister of the Eucharist and Lector at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis.  He also served as a mayordomo at the mission church in La Canada de Los Alamos. He and his wife Terry were the recipients of the Archbishop’s St. Francis of Assisi Award.

Albert was a member of Toast Masters, American Legion, City of Santa Fe Housing Authority,  Association of Government Accountants, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, American Managers Association, Hondo Hills Volunteer Fire Department, St. Michael’s PTA; He served as President of Western Conservation Administrative & Fiscal Officers and St. Francis Cathedral School PTA;  he volunteered for the campaigns of Senator Eddie Lopez, Governor Bruce King, Governor Jerry Apodaca, Attorney General Gary King and U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman.

The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30pm on May 8th at Rivera Funeral Home and the funeral Mass is May 9th at 11a.m. at Cristo Rey Catholic Church and burial at the National Cemetery after the mass.