MANUEL RIVERA JR.

SAN JUAN – Manuel Rivera Jr., 74, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. Manuel was born in Pharr to Manuel and Elena Rivera. He is preceded in death by his father. Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 48 years, Sylvia; two daughters, Cynthia (Eloy Hernandez) Rivera and Melissa Rivera. He was a proud, loving, supportive grandfather to his five grandchildren, Caitlin Hernandez, Caleb Hernandez, Christopher Hernandez, Diego Santos, Sarah Santos. He is also survived by his mother, Elena Rivera; two brothers, Jose Guadalupe (Viola) Rivera, Hilario Hector (Nora) Rivera; three sisters, Viola (Oscar) Salinas, Mercedes Rivera, Rosa Margarita (Agustin) Peña; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Manuel graduated from PSJA High School in 1961. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Pan American University in Edinburg. Manuel had a total of 43 years of experience in the educational field. He began his extensive educational career in the PSJA School District in 1966 as an elementary teacher at Buckner Elementary and continued his dedicated journey in leadership roles as a primary school Assistant Principal, Elementary Principal, Junior High Principal, Memorial 9th Principal, Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Administrator, Assistant Superintendent for Administration and School Operations and in 2004 was promoted to Deputy Superintendent until his retirement in 2009. Manuel was a founding member of the PSJA Education Foundation that provided monies for PSJA graduates and teacher mini-grants. Manuel was active in professional and local organizations, including community groups such as the Kiwanis Club of Pharr. He was very instrumental in the organization of the Pharr Sunrise Breakfast Kiwanis Club serving as its first president in the 1970s. He worked diligently to generate funds to support worthy causes in the community and in the schools. He was a member of NAFT Federal Credit Union since 1966 and served as director from 1993-2016. He served in various capacities during his term as director. In 1961-1962, during the Berlin Crisis, Manuel served as member of the 49th Armored Division stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Manuel will be greatly missed and dearly remembered by family, friends and many former students. Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Tuesday, March 7, at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 12 noon Wednesday, March 8, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers will be his nephews and his best and longtime friend, Heliodoro Cantu. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.