Daniel J. Rivera, age 80, of Orlando, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Daniel was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico.
He moved to Brooklyn, New York, when he was 8-years-old. He learned to speak English right away and became very active in school. He loved to play basketball and stick ball with his brother and friends in the neighborhood. In high school, he was part of the tumbling team with his brother. Daniel was very ambitious and worked as a shoe shiner and at a grocery store when he was a teenager. In 1962, Daniel met his lovely wife, Melba. They were married in 1963 and moved to Orlando, Florida, to be closer with family. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 5, 2023.
Daniel worked in management at several different companies in Orlando, Florida, and finally found his career in the dairy industry. He worked for Borden’s Dairy for 25 years and then he worked for T.G. Lee Dairy for 15 years. He retired at 65-years-old. Then he started cycling every day and going to the YMCA. He stayed very active and use to meet with friends every morning for breakfast at a local restaurant.
Daniel loved bowling, and he was a part of several bowling leagues. He would take his children bowling every Sunday. He loved roller skating, and he use to take his family to the roller-skating rink on Friday or Saturday nights. He also loved playing dominoes and blackjack with his friends, children and grandchildren. Daniel loved traveling with his family. They would do family car trips to New York and Canada. In the 1970s, Daniel and his wife starting taking cruises for vacation. They loved cruising so much they would go with their family almost every other year.
Daniel also loved traveling to Las Vegas, Biloxi, Mexico, and his country Puerto Rico. Daniel was a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Most of all, he loved his family and would do anything to help them. He was a wonderful man that will be missed by his family and friends.
Daniel is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Rivera, Sr., and Gloria Rivera.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Melba Rivera; son, Daniel John Rivera, his wife, Heather Howlett; daughter, Diana Rivera Thornton, her husband, Dr. Damon Thornton; grandchildren, Garion Rivera, Jack Rivera, Jared Rivera, Tristan Thornton, Tiana Thornton, Taliah Thornton; sister, Ada Ballester, and brother, Mike Rivera.
A visitation is Friday, March 29, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and memorial service starting at 3:00 p.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (Winter Park Chapel).