- Date Of Birth: March 5, 1938
- Date Of Death: August 8, 2021
- State: Mississippi
Napoleon Rivera, age 83, of Gautier, Mississippi passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 8, 2021. Mr. Rivera was born in San Pedro Yepocapa, Chimaltenango, Guatemala on March 5, 1938, the eldest of seven children to Mr. Leonardo Rivera Moreira and Mrs. Milagro Torres Valle de Rivera.
As a very young man Mr. Rivera worked in the local cotton and pineapple industries managed by his father. During this time he completed his primary and secondary education and eventually completed his teaching degree at the Instituto Normal Para Varones Antonio
Larrazabal de Antigua. Afterwards, he taught in the local school systems for several years. Eventually, Mr. Rivera decided to immigrate to the United States in search of the American Dream, and in 1963 he moved to New York City.
Grumman, Trinity Marine Group, and Avondale Shipyards.
Mr. Rivera was truly a Renaissance Man and this was manifested in his many hobbies and passions. For his entire life, he was an avid long distance runner, participating in numerous marathons. His passion and discipline for running was passed on to his daughters who also
competed at the high school and college levels. Another one of his pleasures was working and building with wood. When not building and renovating his own home in Gautier, he built kayaks, small wooden boats, and his own full-sized sailboat. Being a former teacher, he also cherished
books, especially historical books concerning the socio-political narrative of Central America and the Caribbean. Other hobbies included beer-making, soccer, latin dancing, sailing, and cycling. One of Mr. Rivera’s proudest accomplishments was seeing all three of his daughters graduate and receive their degrees from college.
Mr. Rivera is survived by his wife Magdy, his daughters Florecita (Kenny), Suzy, and
Margarita (Bobby). He is also survived by two amazing grandchildren, Julieta and Finn.
