Mr. Joel "Juco" Rivera

Joel "Juco" Rivera, 46, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and came to Jersey City, New Jersey at the age of 9 with his mother, Virginia.

Joel employed as a warehouseman for Resnick Distributors, New Brunswick. There he was admired by many.

He enjoyed going to Coney Island and having fun. Joel loved to be with his family and friends. He was the life of the parties! He was always looking to have a good time (some trouble too). He and his brother, Elvin were extremely close. Joel loved wearing hats and "fly" sneakers. He was a man of style! He often listened to reggaeton and salsa music.

While he had no kids, he treated all of his nieces and nephews (and their kids) as his own. He was a dedicated, loving great Tio to many! He was zealously overprotective of his young family members!

Juco kept a family album near his bed of all of us. There we found a lot of these photos. He obviously adored and kept them close to his heart. He loved hard!

Predeceased by his mother Virginia (Lopez) Rivera, he is survived by his companion of 20 years, Maribel Ocasio, his father, Demetrios Rivera, his four brothers, Nestor, Alfredo, Elvin and Arley, his five sisters, Evette, Vilma, Maki, Lourdes and Lesle and his many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, 239 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey on Thursday evening from 4 - 8 pm. A Prayer Service will be held during the visitation. Joel will be interred in Puerto Rico.