Martin Viera-Rivera

Martin Viera-Rivera

November 20, 1929 – July 13, 2025

Martin Viera-Rivera, 95, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Candelaria Ortiz Viera and his youngest daughter, Gloria Viera. He is survived by his children: Pura Chittick (Mike), Maria Viera-Williams (Jim), Martin Viera (Vicky), Jorge Viera (Trish), and Robert Viera (Yvonne) and seven grandchildren: Joseph DeLa Cerda, Jorge Viera Jr, Christopher Viera, Christina Sanchez-Pauter (Eddie), Matthew Viera, Adrian Viera (Jackie), Mitchell Viera, and seven great-grandchildren.

He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. During his childhood, he was homeless and shoeless. In high school, he was proficient in math. He excelled at swimming, weightlifting and track and field, specializing in the pole vault.

He enlisted in the Puerto Rican Army National Guard in 1950 and joined the Regular Active Army in 1952. He married Candelaria Ortiz Cruz in 1952 and was soon deployed to Germany on an unaccompanied tour for 3 years while his wife was pregnant with their twin daughters Pura and Maria. Promoted to Sergeant, he returned from Germany in 1956 and saw his twin daughters for the first time.

He had subsequent military tours in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas. In Massachusetts, he served at Fort Devens and at the South Boston Army Base. His twins Martin and Gloria were born in Quincy, Massachusetts and his sons Jorge and Robert were born at Chelsea Naval Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. In New Jersey, he served at various bases, including Fort Monmouth. He had two tours at Fort Bliss; in 1964 and a final tour that began in 1967. In 1973, he was selected and assigned to Class 1 of the newly opened US Army’s Sergeant Major’s Academy in Ft. Bliss. He retired on September 1, 1975, with the rank of Master Sergeant. After retirement, he received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from UT El Paso.

He enjoyed Puerto Rican food, music, beer, and rum. His hobbies included pen and pencil drawing, reading, camping, grilling, and ocean/lake fishing. He had a passion for John Wayne, westerns, and history. He was an avid movie buff, especially of classic movies.

Rest in Peace, soldier.