In Memory of

Ismael

Rivera

Obituary for Ismael Rivera

Ismael “Ish” Rivera, 55, of West Simsbury, passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident on May 29, 2022. Born in Isabela, Puerto Rico, son of Filomena Cuevas and the late Adolfo Rivera, he also lived in the Bronx, before eventually moving to Hartford where he grew up with his mother and ten siblings.

Ish attended Hartford Public High School, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Garcao), who he was married to for 32 years. He received his bachelor’s from SCSU, master’s from CCSU, and was currently working towards master’s +60 at the American College of Education.

He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps Reserve, and served during Operation Desert Storm. He received the honor of the most physically fit marine in his platoon.
Ish was a Special Education teacher for 29 years at the Consolidated School District of New Britain. He was at Slade Middle School for 16 years, and most recently taught at DiLoreto. He touched the lives of many of his students and was able to guide and forever change their life trajectory.

Ish was a loving husband, father and friend. His children were a source of great pride and happiness to him. He will forever be remembered for his fun loving personality. He was kind and caring and quick to offer a hand to a friend in need. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed working outside, golfing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and cycling. He loved traveling and family vacations to OBX, Portugal and Puerto Rico. He also loved cooking and was happiest sharing a meal with his family. A sports enthusiast, no one was better than his New York Yankees and Giants.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his family: son, Alec John Rivera of Brookline MA; daughter, Lauren Marie Rivera of NYC; mother, Filomena Rivera; brothers, Eli and wife Lourdes, Jesus and wife Catherine, Luis and wife Barbara, David and Hector; sisters, Haydee, Mirta, Miriam & husband Efrain; sisters-in-law, Maria and husband Bill Gallagher, and Isabel and husband Bob Tynik. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Adolfo Rivera, and brothers, Wilson, Miguel and Jose.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 4th at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM closing with a memorial service at 3:30 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. Please visit Ish’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.