Andy Rivera

Andy Rivera, 69, of Amsterdam, NY, went to be with the Lord on July 29 2026. He was born January 1, 1957, in Manhattan, NY to his parents, Raul Rivera, Sr. and Gabriella Cosme.

Andy is survived by his wife, Carol L. Nadler Rivera, who he married on July 16, 1994 and celebrated their 32 anniversary this year. He is also survived by his sons, Taino X. Rivera, Estes Park, CO, and Ronald E. Carpenter, Amsterdam, NY; three granddaughters, Cyan and Alisia M. Rivera, Harmony N. Carpenter, all of Amsterdam. NY; one grandson, Elijah Arcadio Rivera, Estes Park, CO; his brother, Johnny Cosme, Amsterdam, NY; a sister, Janeen Cosme, Troy NY, and another brother; his karate brother and best friend Cecil George, Florida.

In addition to his parents, Andy is predeceased by his son, Elijah A. Rivera, Amsterdam, NY; his nephew, Arcadio "Boom, Boom" Bonefont, his brothers Raul "Papo" Rivera Jr., Lester Rivera Sr. and Carlos Bonefont, all of Amsterdam, NY, and 2 other brothers.

Andy attended school in Brooklyn, and graduated from Harry Lundeburg School of Seamanship Piney Point, MD in 1978. He completed a fire course at the Military Sealift Command Firefighting School in NJ. Andy served in the Merchant Marines during Desert Storm, and also traveled to Portugal, Italy and Russia.

Andy started the practice of martial arts at the age of 7 and started instructing at the age of 16 as a 5th degree blackbelt. He earned many degrees in various martial defense forms, Shotokan Karate, Young's Panther Dojo, Go-Dan 5th degree, Ju-jitsu, Judo, Vee-Arnis-jitsu, Professor Florendo Visitacion, Gung-fu, and many more. Andy set up self-defense programs in Brooklyn, NY instructing male, female, deaf and wheelchair students. He developed the Hands of Prayer Martial Arts-River System. He had few students in Amsterdam but the three he taught her excelled and became blackbelts within a year, surviving 5-hour workout sessions., Rafik, Orlando and George.

Andy was a loving, strong and sometimes wise man who only wanted to make things right. He was a deep thinker, and some people did not understand his many facets and how much really cared. He was everyone's Grandpa no matter how old they were, as a little girl asked him, "Can you be my Grandpa too?". He had a sense of humor that jibed with his wife's and they had cashiers at their favorite stores laughing most of the time. She became Grandma to others because of him.

Andy will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who knew the man under the loud and fierce exterior.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Andy's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate

A memorial service and Celebration of Life will be held at Step of Faith Church, 54 Vandeveer St., Amsterdam, NY 12010 at a date to be announced.