Obituary of Mario Pablo Rivera

Mario Pablo Rivera, born August 17th, 1944, passed away peacefully on the evening of July 30, 2024. He was 79 years old and lived a very full and blessed life in the company of his loved ones. His life journey brought him from his birthplace of Sucre, Bolivia to Niskayuna, NY where he spent a majority of his life raising his family. He is survived by four of his children: Elia Sheldon (John), Jen Newman (Dennis), Mato (Su Li) and Caitlin Console (Kevin) and his beloved wife Michele, whom he passionately adored to his very last minute of life. He is also survived by his siblings in Bolivia (Kapela, Jaime, Silvia) and Brazil (Maly), a myriad of nieces and nephews and eight grandkids who affectionally referred to Mario as Papa. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Elia and Roman Rivera, his three sisters Irma, Olga and Edith and his dear son Chad. Mario spent his entire life as a teacher. He received several advanced degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, most notably his Doctorate, and met his beloved wife, Michele, in Troy, NY. During his career, he specialized in helping young people understand the beauty and simplicity of mathematics, physics and engineering. He even used those teaching skills with his own children and grandchildren and managed to extend those lectures to other topics such as grace, humility and kindness. One of Mario’s favorite pastimes was hosting a meal at his home with his loved ones. He would always take joy in having a full dinner table where he shared his many stories. All who knew him are welcome to join us in filling his table one last time to celebrate his life at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady Sunday August 4, 2024, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:00 am Monday August 5, 2024, at St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 1803 Union St, Schenectady, NY. Interment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.