Rudy Rivera

Rudy Rivera was born on March 12, 1942, in Manhattan, New York to Frank Rivera and Esperanza Soto. He was a retired Sergeant Detective of Union County Prosecutor's Office in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Rudy has four children from his first marriage to Sylvia Cotte Rivera. Rudy had another child from his second marriage to Charlene Rivera. His third wife Myra White Rivera predeceased him. Rudy began his career with the Rahway Police Auxiliary. He then was hired by Union County Police as a Police Office, he was the first Hispanic officer and then was hired by the Union County Prosecutor's office as a detective. During this time, he worked the undercover narcotics unit, homicide, he investigated white-collar crimes, he worked the child abuse division. He was 2nd in command for the Union/Essex Counties-Auto theft task force. Rudy enjoyed fishing, motorcycling, antique cars and enjoyed being on the beach. Rudy is survived by his children, daughters Sylvia Iris Rivera-Curnow and her husband Glenn Curnow, Irene Rivera, Carol Troia and her husband Antonio Troia, sons Rudy Rivera, Jr. and his wife Alisa Rivera and Robert John Rivera. His grandchildren Erik K. Podell, Michael R. Podell and his wife Kayla Podell, Antonio L. Troia, Alexandra Rivera, Lorenzo F. Troia, Xavier Rivera, Olivia Rivera and great-grandson Michael R. Podell, Jr., his sister Carmen Cabezudo-Ortiz, his brother Osvaldo Rivera and many nephews, nieces and a host of great nephews and great nieces and his girlfriend Leighkatia Cody In lieu of flowers, donations to the ASPCA in Brooksville, FL are appreciated.