MODESTO E. (HENRY) RIVERA-VERGELI
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on 23 March 1921, he moved to New Port Richey from Watertown, Connecticut in 1984.
Noted for his proud association with the traditional and conservative branch of the Episcopal Church, his father, several uncles and cousins being members of the clergy, past and or present in that branch of Christ’s family.
After high school, he studied at prep school for two years in New Jersey. Then studied at Syracuse University in New York and Interamerican University in Puerto Rico., working towards a degree in Liberal Arts in preparation for Episcopal seminary studies to become a priest in that branch of Christ’s Church.
Henry was very active in the Episcopal Church wherever he resided- choir member, vestryman in every parish he attended, both in Puerto Rico and the U. S. mainland, school board member at the Episcopal Cathedral School in Santurce and member of the Bishop’s Advisory Board at this same cathedral. He was also very active in Scouting for approximately 15 years- Cub Scout and Boy Scout Master and Troop Committeeman.
After discovering he did not have an inclination for the priesthood, (his father had insisted that he follow his footsteps as a priest in the Episcopal Church), Henry attended New York University in New York with the purpose of pursuing industrial endeavors and studied all phases of Plant and Production Management- Production and Quality Control, Personnel Management, Payroll, Plant Design and Maintenance, etc.
Henry worked with Timex Corporation for 24 years during which time he held positions of Production Manager and Assistant to the Plant Manager, He became a trouble shooter for the company and traveled to north american Timex plants in Little Rock, Arkansas; Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Middlebury, Connecticut; St. Croix, Virgin Islands and also in Toluca, Mexico.
He was a member of Masonic Lodges, AF & AM, Mithra #99 in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Federal Lodge #17 in Watertown, Connecticut. He occupied various positions in both these Lodges including that of Senior Warden of Mithra #99 during which tenure he was forced to resign due to travel requirements from his employ with Timex Corp. He also served as Secretary of West Pasco High Twelve Club #409 in New Port Richey from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1988, and was also a member of the American Legion Post No. 79 in this same city.
Henry served in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery during World War II with the rank of Sergeant. During the time he served in the Armed Forces, Henry married the love of his life- Enid Cortés-Rentas, a marriage that lasted 63 wonderful years. They raised three wonderful children- Henry Jr., Manuel (Manny) and Denise (Denny), all of whom are now retired.
During the last years of his life Henry resided at Oakview Terrace Assisted Living Facility, New Port Richey, Florida where he was elected president of the Resident Council for 9 consecutive years. He was also champ of the Scrabble/Up Words Club at this same place.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Adalberto Rivera and Lucas Rivera; He is survived by his grandchildren, Simone Turner, David M. Rivera-Cortes, Enrique M. Rivera-Cortes, Daniel S. Rivera-Cortes, Emily J. Rivera, Matthew N. Fialkosky; great-grandchildren, Aleyna Marketto, Hunter D. Marketto, Julian Rivera, Lysette M. Rivera.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to
Honor Flight West Central Florida

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Due to COVID-19, a celebration of his life will take place at a future date.