Antonio H. Rivera

March 26, 1950 - January 12, 2022

1950 – 2022 Antonio “Tony” Rivera, age 71, a resident of Belen, NM, passed away on January 12, 2022. He was a role model, beloved father and brother, doting grandfather, and a loving husband for 52 years. Tony enjoyed bowling and especially spending time with his grandchildren, never missing a chance to build a wooden railway or treat them to snow cones after school. He attended St. Mary’s, and graduated from Belen High school (class of 1968) and continued to UNM. Tony served in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces. He was a highly respected manager at many of the local grocery stores and served in the Air National Guard and Civil Service as a network administrator where he retired in 2002. Tony spent his retirement enjoying time with his grandkids and family. He is fondly remembered by his sisters as their hero and protector. Tony often made up silly songs about anything, no matter how exciting or mundane. Stepping on a frog would be cause for a Tony original. He is preceded in death by his parents, Angela “Angie” and Guillermo “Willie” Rivera. Tony is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lois Rivera; four children Antonio Rivera (Jennifer Brown), Alycia Gallegos (Sam Gallegos), Annette Marquez (Mario Marquez), and Andrew Rivera (Allison Rivera); 13 grandchildren, Meagan Gallegos (Carlos Castanon), Adrian De La Cruz (Paige Shovelton), Mikey Brown, James Rivera, John Rivera, Noah Rivera, Samantha Gallegos, Elena Gallegos, Luke Gallegos, Elijah Marquez, Samuel Gallegos, Ezekiel Rivera, and Lucilla Rivera; great grandson, Gabe Castanon; sisters, Nancy Griego (Gene Griego) and Donna Trujillo (Daniel Trujillo), and numerous sisters/brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and Godchildren. The Rivera family thanks everyone for their prayers and kind words during this time. In honor of his memory, we ask you do a random act of kindness or beep somebody’s nose. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. and Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Please sign Antonio’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.