Santiago A. Rivera

LOWELL- Santiago Rivera, age 55, of Lowell, journeyed home at 2:35 pm on Friday, November 13, 2020 at Lowell General Hospital. He was born on July 26, 1965 in Utuado, Puerto Rico to Irene Rivera and Juan Aviles, and raised by Heractio Morales. He was the heart of his company, working six days a week (solemnly 7 days a week) as a construction worker and truck driver.

He enjoyed life to the fullest and appreciated all of God's gifts, especially the ones most take for granted. He enjoyed playing games with all of his kids, be it building houses and finding coal in Minecraft, being the "booger" character in the Trouble board game, or a simple remote control car race around the house. He loves to go fishing on the Boulevard, winning black jack at the casinos, and eating all kinds of food, especially his "fatman treats". He is a Catholic of great faith and found immense pleasure in attending Sunday Mass, and guiding his family in their faith journeys. Family was the most important part of his life, as he created his own family through the great friends God put in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Filomena Berardi, his three children, Samuel Cortes, Stephanie Berardi, and Abbygail Rivera, as well as his nephews Justin (Giacomo) Real and JanCarlos (Luigi) Vidal, with whom he had the honor of being a fatherly figure to.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Santiago's Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Thursday from 8:30 until 10:00 am followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 am at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road in Dracut. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Due to Covid-19 face masks and social distancing are required at all services.