Jose S. "Chico" Rivera

Jose 'Chico' S. Rivera
was Lowell barber, active in Latin community

LOWELL -- Mr. Jose "Chico" Santiago Rivera, 89, passed away at his home on Friday, April 15th with his wife by his side.

Jose was born July 25, 1921 in Orocovis, Puerto, Rico, a son of the late Ildefonso and Zoila (Rivera) Rivera. Jose was educated at the Seminaro Concilia-de San Ildefonso de San Juan de Puerto, Rico. He later attended St Mary's Seminary in Roland Park, Maryland.

Jose taught at the Berlitz School of Languages in New York and then later in Washington, D.C. He also worked as a project manager at Leo Butler Construction Company in Maryland in which he was involved in the construction of the entrance to the Baltimore Tunnel.

Jose received his education as a barber in Boston and opened a barber shop in the former Giant's Store in Lowell. He called his barber shop, Chico's. He was one of the early Puerto Rican immigrants to make Lowell his home. He was very active in the Latin community serving as a translator for the Urban Renewal Relocation Program for several years as well as becoming one of the founding members of the Spanish-American Center in Lowell. Jose worked most recently up until his retirement at Courier in Lowell.

He was a parishioner of St. Margaret's Church of Lowell.

Jose is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mrs. Alexandria "Alice" (Pappagianis) Rivera of Lowell; a son, John Rivera and his wife, Kim of Florida; two daughters, Nora Clark and her husband, Thomas of Ipswich, Gloria Spanos and her husband, Peter of Lincoln, N.H.; two brothers, Luis Rivera and his wife, Victoria, Ramon Rivera and his wife, Marta; a sister, Carmen Colon and her husband, Polin, all of Puerto Rico; four grand-children, Jacqueline Rivera, Riva Spanos, Sylvia Spanos, and Maria Spanos.

Jose was the brother to the late Edwardo Rivera, Emerita Rivera, Juana Colon, and Clara Colon.

RIVERA -- Friends will be received at the M.R. LAURIN FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral will take place on Saturday at 8:00 am from the Funeral Home to be followed by Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass will be held at St. Margaret's Church in Lowell at 9:00 am. Interment in Westlawn Cemetery. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial donations may be made in Jose's memory to St. Margaret's Church, 374 Stevens St., Lowell, MA 01851 or to VNA Hospice of Greater Lowell, 336 Central St., Lowell, MA 01852.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of Louis M. Fazio III, M. Richard Laurin, and Scott Laurin. For directions and condolences please visit our website at www.laurinfuneralhome.com