- Date Of Death: March 28, 2019
- State: New Mexico
Ambrose “Sonny” Rivera, age 77, has passed away at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico surrounded by his loving family.
Ambrose was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on Thursday, March 5, 1942 as the oldest child of Ambrosio Cornelio and Genoveva (Duran) Rivera. He attended elementary school in Las Vegas, junior high school in Santa Fe, and high school in Mora. Ambrose graduated as the valedictorian from Mora High School in 1960. When asked to describe his childhood, Ambrose reflected fondly upon his time spent in Santa Fe where he developed strong, lasting friendships with Michael Granito, Leo Vigil, and Phillip Trujillo.
Another keystone to Ambrose’s adolescence was that his father taught him to play the guitar. As Ambrose learned to play the guitar, inspired by his father, his passion for music and performance materialized. Upon graduation from Mora High School, Ambrose attended New Mexico State University on a scholarship. He then moved to Albuquerque and began his music career. His first avenue of performance was with the band, “Manny and the Casanovas”.
In 1973, he purchased the store “Vans” and renamed it “Mr. Music”. Most importantly at this time, as the owner of Mr. Music, Ambrose was now one of the few musicians in Albuquerque who made a living strictly from music. As storeowner, teacher, writer, and performer, he ran Mr. Music for nine years while simultaneously teaching out of his East Mountain home in the town of Cedar Crest. With a high demand for lessons in the East Mountains, Ambrose used his student base to officially open The Village Guitarist in 1983. Offering lessons, sales, and repairs, The Village Guitarist has become one of the longest standing businesses in the area as well as an integral part of the community. It is at this location where his son and daughter in-law, Eric and Krista Rivera, now continue to own and manage the family business.
In the 1980’s, Ambrose began a new performing group called “Sonny and Co.” with Larry Ramirez. Ambrose performed throughout the Albuquerque area in solo capacity and with “Sonny and Co.”. With the addition of Bob Emmert to the band, the band transitioned to “Trio Bravo” and continued its presence in Albuquerque and the East Mountain area. In his later years, Ambrose and his wife Betty developed a special fondness for camping. They enjoyed their time with one another most in their camper in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Ambrose taught music for a total of fifty-five years at Mr. Music, Baum’s, the University of New Mexico (Division of Continuing Education), and at The Village Guitarist. As a former student eloquently stated, “Ambrose was a consummate talent and professional, both as a musician and a teacher. He was also an incredibly nice and generous person with the patience of Job to be able to teach beginners like me. He leaves an incredible legacy.”
Ambrose is preceded in Heaven by his father, Ambrosio Cornelio Rivera; his mother, Genoveva (Duran) Rivera; his infant brother, Walter Rivera; and his cherished sister, Mary Ellen (Rivera) Lucero. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (Hagan) Rivera; his three sons, AC, Daniel (Tamara), and Eric (Krista); his four tías, Tía Maque, Tía Emma, Tía Mela, and Tía Dahlia; his five brothers; and cousin, Wilfred (Barbara), Joe (Trini), Gilbert (Vickie), Lloyd (Grace), and Michael (Rosita); his special niece and nephew, Amy (Ron) and Adrian (Nicole); many more cousins, nieces, and nephews; and finally his very special and most loved granddaughter, Aria (daughter of Eric and Krista). The most amazing quality of our dear father, brother, grandfather, friend, and mentor, was his kind, gentle, and humble heart.
The Rosary will be recited on Monday, April 8, 2019, 9:00 a.m.
