Obituary of Robert J. Rivera

Robert J. Rivera entered eternal life on June 3, 2024. We imagine he is blowing his horn in the great beyond with great joy and abandon for the glory of God.   

He was born in 1961 in Philadelphia, PA to Carmen Arzola and J. Michael Rivera. From his earliest years, Rob’s soul was touched by music—especially the sounds and rhythms of the Puerto Rican music Jibara and Bomba and the delightful sounds of coqui. Music made him feel alive and his life’s mission became sharing its joy. Rob attended Holy Child Catholic School in Philadelphia. He was an altar server and sang in the boys' choir.  He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School, the largest Catholic high school in the nation, and was a member of its world-famous marching band.  He loved playing the trumpet and was an avid actor. He had a great voice and with tremendous dramatic flair, he performed in many high-school musicals. He turned down a scholarship to attend Georgetown University. Instead, he attended Temple University because of its renowned music program. Rob loved many genres of music and played several instruments. He was a member of local bands Groove Place and Gangster Whitewalls, wore lederhosen playing in a German band, and played Mariachi. Rob also played flamenco with close friends, the famed guitarist, Carlos Rubio & dancer, Julia Lopez, in several Philly restaurants. Rob served as a music teacher in the West Chester School District. He also directed the Henderson High School Jazz Band and the middle school and elementary honors bands. An excellent educator, he cared deeply for his students. Patient and passionate about his craft, he encouraged and mentored children to let music color their lives.  Impassioned about Jazz—he had a knack for improv and was thrilled to play with great artists.  Rob gained a special peace playing his horn under the Commodore Barry Bridge. He had a great love for veterans and as he did for his father, he would play Taps at their funerals.

He loved driving and enjoyed exploring fauna and flora throughout the East Coast. An avid adventurer with a penchant for danger, he ran with the bulls in Spain. He also visited Germany and zestfully participated in Oktoberfest. He especially enjoyed a cruise trip to Alaska with his mom and playing trumpet in the wilderness.  He never failed to tote his trumpet to accompany and add music to every adventure. Rob was a great dog lover and proud of rescuing several Pugs.  He cared for his pets with love and devotion. Although stricken with cancer in his later years, he dutifully cared for his aging parents.  After his father’s passing, he took great pains in caring for his beloved mom. Their deaths, although years apart, greatly grieved him. He accepted his crosses, enduring surgeries and pain with his ubiquitous saying, “It is what it is.”  Rob loved his neighbors. He was a great friend and made new friends every day. He loved the parish communities of St Joseph and St Thomas the Apostle and drew great strength and hope from daily Mass, spiritual mentoring, and your prayers.

Rob was predeceased by his father, Mike; his mother, Carmen; and his sister, Katherine. He is survived by his brothers, Miguel Ponce de Leon (Glenda) and Tony Ponce de Leon, his sister, Cynthia Rivera Prestgard (Greg); and his beloved nephews and nieces.

Let music touch your life as it did Rob’s!  Learn to play an instrument or play and share music that brings you pure joy. Reach out and tell us about it, or another sweet time experienced with Rob! 

Visitation: Thursday, June 20th from 10:15-11:00AM at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, 431 Valleybrook Rd., Glen Mills, PA 19342.

Funeral Mass: Thursday, June 20th at 11:00AM at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Interment: St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donate to Rags 2 Riches Rescue Mission, https://rags2richesrescue.org.

The family will be extending an invitation to the memorial luncheon at the conclusion of the committal services.