Gabriel M Rivera

Gabriel M. Rivera, 45 of Santa Rosa, NM died Sunday, November 5, 2006 while hunting west of Santa Rosa. He was born August 15, 1961 in Borger, TX the son of Secundino and Delia Rivera. Gabriel attended school at Santa Rosa where he graduated in 1979. While at Santa Rosa High School he participated and excelled in all sports. He attended college for a short time before returning to Santa Rosa in 1984 to manage the family business, Santa Rosa Lumber Company. Gabriel married Evelyn Gerhardt on December 31, 1999 in Santa Rosa. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and was an excellent carpenter who was always doing improvements on his home. He was also a loving husband, father, son, and brother. Gabriel was a past member of the Santa Rosa Fire Department. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. Gabriel was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Secundino and Eloisa Rivera and his paternal grandfather David Montoya. Survivors include his loving wife Evelyn and son Daniel, his parents Sec and Delia Rivera, a brother David and wife Yvette Rivera, sister Catrina and husband Frank Gallegos and maternal grandmother Elena Montoya all of Santa Rosa, NM. Also surviving are his stepdaughters Anna Lucero of Albuquerque, Sunshine and husband Robert Zamora of Santa Rosa and Brenda Bryant of Franklin, Indiana and four step-grandchildren. His other loves were his Pomeranians, ” Mitzy, Negrita, Wedo and Shira. Rosary services will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa. Rosary services will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 7:00 PM from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated from the church on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Nick Nichols and Father Anthony Bolman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Pallbearers will include Johnny Martinez, Mark Lopez, Chris Gallegos, Tony Moncayo, Rudy Salazar, Lawrence Apodaca, Raymond Zamora, Gilbert “Hoss” Sanchez, Joe Gerhardt and Rick Rivera. Honorary bearers will include Sammy Chavez, Martin Gonzales, Michael Rogers, Berto Chavez, Jr., Richard Gomez, Victor Anaya, current and past employees at Santa Rosa Lumber Company, members of Santa Rosa Volunteer Fire Department and all his many friends. All arrangements are entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, NM. (505) 472-3369 For online condolences please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com