Bennie (Ben) Rivera, entered eternal life peacefully on June 8, 2019, surrounded by his family at his home in Trinidad, CO..
He was born on November 8, 1926 to Juan and Cecilia Rivera in Segundo, CO. and was raised in Suffield, CO.. He was 92.
Ben worked as a coal miner in various coal mines within the Trinidad and New Mexico area. He was also a loyal UMWA member retiring in 1986 after many years.
Proceeding Ben in death are his parents Juan and Cecilia, his father- in-law and mother-in-law Sam and Annie B. Griego. Sisters Ida Rocha and Nellie Griego. Along with his sons Steven Rivera, Rick Rivera, Rudy Rivera, Wayne Rivera, granddaughters Laura Garcia, Crystal Rivera Sanchez and grandson Steven Gallegos.
​Ben was united in marriage to Della Rivera for 70 years.
He is survived by his loving wife Della -Trinidad, CO., son Anthony Rivera- Colorado Springs, CO., daughters Louise and Tom Garcia-Trinidad, CO., Veronica (Chuy) Rivera- Colorado Springs, CO., Adele and Ted Abeyta-Trinidad, CO., daughters-in-law Shirley Rivera- Trinidad, CO., Mona Rivera- Albuquerque, NM., brothers August (Dora) Rivera, John Rivera all of Denver, CO., sister Isabel Sanchez-Arizona. Granddaughters and grandsons Donna Garcia, Terese Garcia, Tommie Gomez, Melissa (Jim Clark) Rivera, Celeste Rivera Abeyta, Angel Abeyta, Kurtis Rivera and Rick Rivera Jr., many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and family friends that were all special to Ben.
Memorial Mass for Ben will be June 21, 2018 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m. in Trinidad, CO. Inurnment will follow mass at the Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
The family may be contacted at the home address in Trinidad, CO.
