Javier Rivera

Javier Rivera November 22, 1934 to July 10, 2022 Javier Rivera passed away at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara on July 10, 2022, with family by his side. Javier was born in the small town of Atotonilco el Bajo in Jalisco Mexico, to Concepcion Garcia and Ventura Rivera, and grew up in a multi-generational home. Javier‘s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help support his grandparents led him to California at the age of 16. He traversed the state working as a seasonal laborer and tanner. He always recalled arriving in San Francisco and marveling at the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge. At 23 he married his sweetheart Teresa Jimenez of Atotonilco and they started their life together in San Francisco, where their four children were born. Javier approached every job he had in those early years with a tireless work ethic and boundless optimism, whether as a tanner, a cab driver, or as a successful real estate agent at Pan-American Realty for many years. Then his love for traditional Mexican music led him to join several friends as they ventured into the music industry, promoting Mexican regional music in venues across America and representing Mexican artists; a perfect fit for his outgoing, adventurous nature. He made lifelong friends over a career that spanned several decades, and was a mentor to many wishing to pursue a similar path. In 2020, Javier retired from his life as a music promoter, however he continued mentoring new artists until his passing. In recent years, Javier and Teresa made Santa Barbara their home, enjoying the beauty of the California coast. Javier loved watching classic westerns, boxing, Las Chivas futbol and his granddaughters train as flamenco dancers and junior lifeguards. He enjoyed long drives, and if you were along for the ride, he always had a good story to tell. Javier loved to reminisce with family and the many friends he made throughout his life, especially over a good bottle of wine. Javier lived a life enhanced by his love of music. We’re grateful for your guidance Papi, and for instilling in us your love of life and passion for education. Javier is survived by Teresa, his loving wife of 64 years, devoted children Silvana (Art), Roxanna (Rene’), Javier Buenaventura, and Edmundo (Trina); brothers and sisters Jose, Tarcisio, Heron, Hugo, Gema, Guadalupe and Concepcion; grandchildren Rebecca, Alexander (Maggie), Eric, Christopher, Jamieson, and Remy; former daughter-in-law Robyn; great grandchildren Aiden, Beckett, and Millie, and extended family.