Juan Rivera Ortiz, 98

June 06, 2019

Juan Rivera Ortiz, 98, formerly of Strasburg, New York and Puerto Rico, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Conestoga View. He was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico to the late Albalino Rivera Rodriguez and Ovino Ortiz. Juan’s wife Filomena Ocasio died in 1994.

He worked as tobacco farmer in Puerto Rico, then as a butcher and dairy farmer in upstate New York, before moving to Lancaster County. Juan owned Joey’s Grocery Store on South Duke Street, in Lancaster for 5 years.

Surviving Juan are 12 children: Juanita Rivera, Jose Rivera, Maria Rivera, Paulino Rivera, Clemente Rivera, Julia Rivera, Concepcion Rivera, Pedro Rivera, Rafael Rivera, Juan “Joey” Rivera, Miquel Rivera and Victoria Ortiz; and two sisters and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, Juan was preceded in death by his four children, Isabelino Rivera, Sabino Rivera, Gloria Rivera and Victor Ortiz; as well as four brothers and one sister.

Juan was loved by his large family.

A viewing will take place 10-11 AM Tuesday, June 11, 2019, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM, with his son Rev. Concepcion Rivera officiating, at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 East King St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Interment will be in Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery.