Tributes

Antonio "Tony" Rivera 1940-2015 Longtime San Antonio resident Colonel Antonio Rivera, an 24 year veteran of the United States Air Force, former V.P. at USAA, former Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and most recently ordained Deacon in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, died January 5, 2014, at age 74. He was born in Paul Spur, a rural community right outside Douglas Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona, where he acquired a BA in Latin American Studies. In 1962 he entered the Air Force where his deployments took him all over the world but San Antonio, Texas became home when he retired with the rank of Colonel in 1986. He was immediately employed by USAA and held multiple positions. He retired once again as the Vice President of Workforce Development in 1999. Military was his career; Community involvement was a commitment; and Ministry became his passion. He traveled the U.S and overseas ministering to people of all faiths. He served on the national board of Worldwide Marriage Encounter and was an integral part in taking the movement to Mexico and the Caribbean. Locally he volunteered countless hours helping organizations from all sectors of the city. He served his church St. Matthew and the Archdiocese in Marriage Preparation, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Sacristan, Bereavement Minister, Hospital Ministry, Funeral Ministry and for the last 7 years he has been a very active ordained Deacon. For the greater part of 74 years he never met a stranger. He was an intelligent man that was always visiting with people, helped many on his way and had a special love for children. He was a tremendous son, brother, friend, husband, boss, father, grandfather and Man of God. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Estella C. Rivera, daughters, Cecilia, Teresa, Sandra & her husband Joe, one son, Antonio Jr., one adopted daughter, Maria & her husband Roland, two adopted sons, Mike & his wife Rose and Carlos, two sisters, Ana and Brunilda, ten grandchildren, Cassie, David, Robert, Miranda, Jon, Tonito, Sarah, Cameron, Christina, Rachel, two great grandchildren, Anderson and Braeden, & numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Visitation will begin at 6:45 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2015 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. A 10:00 a.m., Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church followed by a reception at the church. Interment will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Deacon Antonio "Tony" T. Rivera

June 12, 1940 - January 5, 2015