Henry Viveros Obituary

Viveros, Henry
A 56 year resident of Torrance, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2007 in his home surrounded by his family. Born September 13, 1930 in Riverside, CA. He retired from Rockwell International. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Concha Viveros; daughter and son, Diane and Henry. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn (Dave) Ventura; sons, Rick (Maryanne) Viveros and James (Lisa) Viveros; 11 grandchildren, Stephen (Frankie), David (Kathy), Jennifer (Sam), Nicole, Michelle, Ricky, Christopher, James, Vincent, Nicolas and Mallory; along with 3 great granddaughters, Samantha, Natalie and Olivia. Along with his family, he was a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish. On behalf of our father, we invite you to join us for a Vigil service on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 7pm and Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 20, 2007, 11am at St. Margaret Mary Parish to celebrate his reunion with our mother. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.GREEN HILLS MORTUARY
310-831-0311

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Published by Daily Breeze on Jul. 18, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Henry Viveros

13 Entries

July 24, 2007

To all those who have been touched by this gentle man, you are blessed. To have shared time with him is a gift. God has put us in places, situations and in contact with an array of possibilities. As God has allowed us to share and learn from Rick, we must move forward in our lives by honoring Him and following His good example.

My deepest condolences to Kathy, Rick and Jim, all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and of course his only sibling, Uncle Ruben. Rick has been a father to me as well, and I will always cherish the memories.

Having surprised Rick by arriving home a day early he sees our white VW pull up the asphalt driveway that cold November day in 1971. Connie was the quicker of the two and she reached Diane holding her grandson, Stephen. Rick soon appeared at the doorway and half ran to hug Diane as she broke his stride and handed him his first grandson. Rick didn't know what to say. The tears said it all. It's what you call "love at first sight". What a greeting. We were all in tears. We stayed with Rick and Connie for about two months before moving away to Moorpark to go to college.

More often than not we would all be packed up to go to Riverside for the weekend. Rick and Connie had moved away from home to a strange town called San Pedro. In the sixties the drive would take about an hour by freeway, but in the early fifties it was a long drive on surface streets and at least one stop to change a flat tire with a bald tire. Still, they made the drive to visit family, Grandma Chona, Grandpa Chuchi, Grandma Carmen, Grandpa Cipriano, and a cast of thousands. Rick and Connie, having purchased a new home in Torrance in 1953, knew they must establish their new 'home', and nurture their young family with love and the traditions of family dinners and gatherings as their parents had taught them.

I can still hear him strolling along the driveway pulling the garden hose and washing the driveway down on Saturdays. His pants are rolled up to below his knees as he whistles a Ranchera song. Of course, this is early morning. He greets his neighbors, his comprade Ray Perez, and Nando and his boys.

Finishing his first task he then heads over to the local barber shop. "I'm going to get my hair trimmed," he tells his wife, Concha. She knows he will be gone a couple of hours as he hangs out with the locals, including Nando. When he arrives home, Connie will be waiting to give him a word or two about where he has been for two hours. Surely the barber wasn't that busy Connie sums up in one word, "Really"! Rick thinks of an out and tells Connie he's going to make menudo and must go to the market for a few pounds of tripe. When he returns he brings a large bag of menudo. There are many mouths to feed and he buys plenty. He puts the bag on the kitchen counter. Next to the bag he places another bag. It is full of fresh nopales. He couldn't resist the tender Mexican delicacies. He prepares the large pot that will cook the menudo for several hours.

In the meantime he has taken the nopales to the large picnic-style table in the covered patio outside the small den. He is careful not to get a stuck by the espinas. These tender morsels will be prepared to accompany the chicharrones he also bought at the market. Of course this aperitivo must be complimented by the fine flavor of a cervezita, an Olympia. All the while Rick has entertained Duke, his faithful dog and sidekick. Duke watches Rick with an eager eye as he awaits his share of the chicharrones. Rick throws him a bite and shakes his head having caught sight of El Duke. "I have to get this poor dog to the groomer. His hair is getting mattier and it won't be long before I won't be able to tell his head from his cola", Rick thinks to himself.

As evening rolls around, Rick is awaiting the arrival of his family to gather for a fine meal of menudo, and for the lucky ones, what's left of the chicharrones and nopales. The arriving family comes into the house and immediately hears Connie telling them that the menudo is ready and she is warming up the tortillas. Dinner is enjoyed in the den on dinner trays where Rick has already finished his first bowl of menudo and is resting comfortably with his feet on the coffee table, his shoes off, and his toes wiggling as he watches Lawrence Welk. He is anxiously awaiting Anacani to perform. He laughs as the Geritol commercial comes on. He says it's for the 'old people'.

The conversation in the room builds and eventually busts open spilling 'small talk' to the corners of the room and through the narrow doorway that leads into the adjoining bedroom. From there the voices stop as the small (as in tiny) hallway dead ends into the other two bedrooms. Voices did spill into the living room but no one was in there. It was reserved for "company".

Next to Rick is a one-year-old Stephen. He puts his arm around his first grandchild and cuddles him with Mexican conjuros. Little did we know that Rick was thinking of all the great food he would have to introduce his heir apparent. Things like cabeza de chivo (goat head), the eyeballs being a particular delicacy which required some special training to hold as one prepared to indulge, lengua (tongue), mejilla (cheek), and cerebro (brain). Many things are happening with the high school aged Ricky and Jimmy. Kathy is pregnant with the next rey, David. Diane is happy to be home near mom and dad.

As "Chico and the Man" is about to come on all gather in the small den with it's walls of oak paneling, and prepare to watch Rick's favorite show on the family's Sears Silvertone TV. The delicious dinner consumed, Dave and I share a few Olys with our father-in-law.

As the yawns take over the conversation it is time to go home. Rick follows the departees out to their cars and wishes them a goodnight. He returns to the house and prepares to go to bed. Connie is cleaning up in the kitchen as Rick yells out, "Concha, where's the toilet paper?"

Sleep well, and kisses to my girl.

Love,
Steve

July 24, 2007

To all those who have been touched by this gentle man, you are blessed. To have shared time with him is a gift. God has put us in places, situations and in contact with an array of possibilities. As God has allowed us to share and learn from Rick, we must move forward in our lives by honoring Him and following His good example.

My deepest condolences to Kathy, Rick, and Jim, and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rick has been a father to me as well, and I will always cherish the memories.

Having surprised Rick by arriving home a day early he sees our white VW pull up the asphalt driveway. Connie was the quicker of the two and she reached out to receive her new grandson, Stephen. Rick soon appeared at the doorway and half ran to hug Diane and as Connie handed him his grandson. What a greeting. We were all in tears. We stayed with Rick and Connie for about two months before moving away to Moorpark to go to college.

I can hear him strolling along the driveway pulling the garden hose and hosing it down on Saturdays. His pants are rolled up to below his knees as he whistles a Ranchera song. Of course, this is early morning. He greets his neighbors, his comprade Ray Perez, and Nando and his boys. Finishing his first task he then heads over to the local barber shop. "I'm going to get my hair trimmed," he tells his wife, Concha. She knows he will be gone a couple of hours as he hangs out with the locals, including Nando. When he arrives home, Connie will be waiting to give him a word or two about where he has been for two hours. Surely the barber wasn't that busy Connie sums up in one word, "Really"! Rick thinks of an out and tells Connie he's going to make menudo and must go to the market for a few pounds of tripe. When he returns he brings a large bag of menudo. There are many mouths to feed and he buys plenty. He puts the bag on the kitchen counter. Next to the bag he places another bag. It is full of fresh nopales. He couldn't resist the tender Mexican delicacies. He prepares the large pot that will cook the menudo for several hours. In the meantime he has taken the nopales to the large picnic-style table in the covered patio outside the small den. He is careful not to get a stuck by the espinas. These tender morsels will be prepared to accompany the chicharrones he also bought at the market. Of course this aperitivo must be complimented by the fine flavor of a cervezita, an Olympia. All the while Rick has entertained Duke, his faithful dog and sidekick. Duke watches Rick with an eager eye as he awaits his share of the chicharrones. Rick throws him a bite and shakes his head having caught sight of El Duke. "I have to get this poor dog to the groomer. His hair is getting mattier and it won't be long before I won't be able to tell his head from his cola", Rick thinks to himself. As evening rolls around, Rick is awaiting the arrival of his family to gather for a fine meal of menudo, and for the lucky ones, what's left of the chicharones and nopales. The arriving family comes into the house and immediately hears Connie telling them that the menudo is ready and she is warming up the tortillas. Dinner is enjoyed in the den on dinner trays where Rick has already finished his first bowl of menudo and is resting comfortably with his feet on the coffee table, his shoes off, and his toes wiggling as he watches Lawrence Welk. He is anxiously awaiting Anacani to perform. He laughs as the Geritol commercial comes on. He says it's for the 'old people'. The conversation in the room builds and eventually busts open spilling 'small talk' to the corners of the room and through the narrow doorway into the adjoining bedroom. Next to Rick is a one-year-old Stephen. He puts his arm around his first grandchild and cuddles him with Mexican conjuros. Many things are happening with the high school aged Ricky and Jimmy. Kathy is pregnant with the next rey, David. Diane is happy to be home near mom and dad. As "Chico and the Man" is about to come on all gather in the small den with it's walls of oak paneling, and prepare to watch Rick's favorite show on the family's Sears Silvertone TV. The delicious dinner consumed, Dave and I share a few Olys with our father-in-law. As the yawns take over the conversation it is time to go home. Rick follows the departees out to their cars and wishes them a goodnight. He returns to the house and prepares to go to bed. Connie is cleaning up in the kitchen as Rick yells out, "Concha, where's the toilet paper?"

Sleep well, and kisses to my girl.

Love,
Steve

Cathy Burrola-Tellez

July 23, 2007

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jose F. Silva

July 20, 2007

Jim, I want you to know that our family will continue to pray for your father Henry, your mother, and your entire family. My parents have had many medical problems these last few years, but I am so grateful for the years that our family has been blessed with their hugs and smiles. Some of our friends parent's died before they ever spent time with their grandchildren -- we are truly blessed.

On this note, I want you to know how proud I am of you. You have given your Father a very beautiful gift in his senior years -- your time, your companionship, your respect, and your love. How he seemed to enjoy being around the golf course with his son(s) and friends. We really appreciated his company, warm smile, and heartfelt hugs throughout these many years; I hope you saw how much we all loved to have him near -- I am going to miss him, hermano!

The last picture I took of your Dad was at last August's (2006) Cathedral High School Golf Tournament -- and Henry was wearing his Cathedral logo golf shirt.

Con todo carino y respesto. iQue Dios los bendiga siempre! -- God Bless you always!

Jose Silva y Familia
(Raytheon Golf familia)

Olivas

July 20, 2007

My greatest sympathy for your loss. Sorry we couldn't be there at this time.
With all of our love,
Lucy and Family

John Solis

July 19, 2007

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Tony Chavez

July 18, 2007

Jim, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May your many happy memories bring you comfort.

The HESGA golfers will all miss Henry's wry sense of humor and sunny disposition. I'm sure he'll have plenty of birdies on his new home course.

Laurin Suiter

July 18, 2007

It was a privilege knowing Henry. His generous spirit, his stories, and his humor will be missed. Peace be with him, and much love to his family.

Michelle Viveros

July 18, 2007

Grandpa,

Words cannot express how grateful I am for all that you have done for our family. Thank you for teaching all of us the importance of faith, family, education, and hard work. Thank you for teaching my Dad how to be a good man and tremendous father. Thank you for being an amazing Grandfather who always had fun with us, who always took interest in our well being, who was always proud of us, and who always gave us unconditional love. You have touched our lives beyond measure. We'll all miss you so much, but we take comfort that you're no longer in pain and that you're up in Heaven. Please pray for us. How amazing it must be to be with those who have gone before us and to see the face of God. I love you with all of my heart.

sonny yanes

July 18, 2007

So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. our prayers will continue to be with you and your family.

Sonny & Jean Yanes
Augie & Alice Solis

Corria Camou

July 18, 2007

Viveros Family
Our prayers go out to your family on the loss of your father.

Always,
Alfred Zuniga, Corrina and Dora Camou

Gina Schmitz

July 18, 2007

Backyard parties aren't going to be the same without Henry to pick on about USC :-) We'll all miss his humor and warmth. He was a great guy who will be missed by all of us. I'm happy he is no longer in pain and at peace now with those he loved so much who went before him.

We love all of you very much and will miss Henry.

Gina & Laurin

elizabeth bullard

July 17, 2007

Our hearts are with you at this time ......I am in Tahoe right now with Ralphie, Brittany, kids,and my brothers family ...We will be leaving early...See you soon.. Love you all lots ....Elizabeth Martinez-Bullard

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