Peter Rivera

Peter Rivera, 93, of Bethany, the beloved husband for 61 years of Jennie Ruiz Rivera, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 26, 2011, at the Veterans Hospital West Haven. He was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, on April 28, 1918, son of the late Pedro and Juana Laviera Rivera. Peter was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Oxford. He was a US Army veteran of WWII, serving as a Technician 5th Grade with the HQ 349th Infantry. He was a recipient of the European-African and Middle Eastern Service Medals and saw action in the North Apennines- Po Valley-Rome-Arno campaigns. Peter was a well-known Illustrator and had formerly worked for the New Haven Register doing political satire and Sunday cartoons. He also worked for Urban Dynamics of Bethany, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and did illustrations for comic books (especially "Archie"). Peter moved to Bethany from Spring Valley, NY 46 years ago. He enjoyed carpentry and woodworking, and was an avid NY Yankees fan. He loved being with his family and friends. His loving family includes his two devoted sons, Peter Rivera and his partner, Maryellen, of NYC, and Richard Rivera and his wife, Yvette, of Wallingford, CT; two caring daughters, Kathleen Foote and her husband, Dennis, of Chesapeake, VA and Janet Rivera of Chappaqua, NY; ten cherished grandchildren; and several loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Deider Rivera and his beloved sister, Iris Rivera. A Graveside Committal Service, in celebration of Peter's life, will be offered at 12:00 noon on SATURDAY, JULY 2 (DIRECTLY) at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT, with Father Dominic Valla, Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Oxford, officiating.Full military honors will be accorded. Friends and relatives may call on FRIDAY from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Miller-Ward Funeral Home, 260 Bank Street (Route 67, opposite Klarides Village) Seymour. Expressions of sympathy in Peter's memory may be made to: VA Hospital West Haven, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516 or the Bethany Volunteer Fire Dept. and Ambulance Corps, 765 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 06524. Previous Events Visitation JUL 1. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET) Miller-Ward Funeral Home 260 Bank Street Seymour, CT 06483 Graveside Service JUL 2. 12:00 PM (ET) State Veterans Cemetery 317 Bow Lane Middletown, CT 06459