John P. "Jack" Ribera

1945 - 2024

John "Jack" P. Ribera
John "Jack" P. Ribera, 78, of Durham, husband of the late Margaret "Peggy" Mary (Moniz) Ribera, passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024, peacefully at his home. He was born and raised in Newport, RI, son of the late, Salvatore and Helen (Rogers) Ribera. Prior to his retirement, Jack was employed as the Head Chef at Connecticut Valley Hospital. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving with the U.S. Army, 11 Infantry Airborne Division.
Jack graduated from Rogers High School in Newport in 1965 where he was a track and baseball star. He enlisted in the US Army on May 17, 1965. He volunteered to go to Vietnam in hopes of protecting his brothers from combat. He is a proud lifetime member of the 173rd Airborne 2/503. Airborne all the way! Among his many medals are the National Defense Service Medal, Airborne wings, Rifle Sharpshooter, and the Purple Heart.
On August 20,1966, a landmine went off in Ben Hoa. One of the victims was Jack Ribera. While attempting to crawl to cover, he was then shot across the chest with a machine gun. Left to die with a critical brain injury, he had to wait on the battlefield through further bombardment until he could safely be airlifted to receive medical care. For over seven hours Jack fought to live, his fellow soldiers by his side. Following a 23-month stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, he came home and married his high school sweetheart at St. Mary's Church in Newport, RI on June 1, 1968. Jack and Peggy had been together since they were 14 years old and remained together until she passed in February, 2023.
Throughout his years following Vietnam, he suffered flash backs, depression and PTSD until his wife, Peggy, suggested he instead celebrate the fact that he survived. The day changed from a terrifying reminder of what should have killed him to a day of celebration and gratefulness for the fact he got to live. This began the Glad to be Alive parties that were held at their home every August for decades. These were large parties that family, friends, and former comrades came to from all over to attend.
Jack was a proud, patriotic man who enjoyed being around family and friends. He especially enjoyed being a Poppa to Derek and Jessica. To many he was a hard, disciplined man; but to them, he was just their loving poppa who wouldn't think twice about embarrassing himself if it made them laugh. Throughout his entire life, he was a fighter. The depth to this trait showed after receiving disabilities resulting from his injuries in Vietnam, among other battles. This strength was never more present than when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He fought bravely until the very end.
Jack is survived by his daughter, Kelly Ribera-Lee (John) of Durham, CT; two grandchildren, Derek J. Lee of Madison and Jessica J. Lee, of Durham, and a brother, Robert Ribera (Diane) of Cromwell.
Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by two brothers, Michael Ribera of Newport and Salvatore "Judge" Ribera of San Jose, CA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main Street, Durham. Burial with military honors will follow in the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Family and friends may call on Monday, September 9, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.