Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at age 73.  Loving husband of Barb (nee Loch).  Beloved father of Julie (Michael) Solger and Mark (Marny) Rivera.  Precious and adoring Grandpa of Chloe Rivera.  Dear son of Emilia and Juan Ferreira. Caring brother of Perfecto (Lyn) Rivera, Jose (Amy) Rivera, Lydia Rivera, Emily (Ray) Llamas, Jennie (Jose) Rodriguez, Nilda (Peter) Manzo, and Ellen Smail.   Julio will be greatly missed by his sister-in-law Mary Rivera, brother-in-law, Bob (the late Vicki) Loch, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.  Preceded in death by his brother, Jay Rivera.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the following organizations in Julio’s honor:

Honor Flight

www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org

American Cancer Society

https://donate3.cancer.org/

The Rivera family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Longo and Dr. Kleman for their tireless care.  We would also like to thank the Horizon team for giving guidance and compassionate care to both Julio and the family during home hospice.

Memorial Gathering at the Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West  National Avenue,  New Berlin, Wisconsin on Friday, October 16 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Military Honors at 7:00 PM.

Announcement

Our father was an intelligent, empathetic, and loving man.  He treated all people with kindness and frequently elevated the needs of others over his own.  These characteristics made him a great husband, parent, friend, and man.  He was no stranger to making hard choices or making the best of unfair circumstances.  We currently are faced with one of those very unfair circumstances given the ongoing growth of the COVID pandemic.  The challenge of gathering large groups of people safely is not possible.  It is with this knowledge that our family must make a heartbreaking decision to limit person-to-person interactions at the visitation. We are requesting that all attendees wear face masks, maintain proper social distancing, and have instructed the funeral home to limit the number of people within the greeting hall to 15.  As a result of these restrictions, there will be no formal service or eulogy given at this time. Military honors will start at 7:00 pm for the immediate family. The gun salute will follow outside which all are welcome to observe. This is not what we want, but rather, what we must do for the health and safety of our family and friends.  In the summer of 2021, when the pandemic has hopefully abated, we will celebrate our father’s life appropriately and in a manner that would have brought him great joy.  At that time, we will have a formal eulogy and invite all who loved him to share their memories and stories with everyone.

This decision was made as a family, just like our father would have wished.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding,

Mark, Julie, Barb