Mr. Henry M. Rivas

Henry M. Rivas
Born to Adelaida Meza and Trinidad Rivas
on August 18, 1912, in Valpariso, Zacatecas, Mexico

Henry was the youngest of four children and was born at the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. About a year after his birth, his mother, Adelaida, was widowed. She was left with three children to raise, a daughter having died at age 11 from a bout of diphtheria. Her oldest daughter, Josefa, was safegaurded by an aunt and brought to the United States shortly after Henry was born. Adelaida, through determination, resolve and "La Divina Providencia", left Zacatecas with her two boys, Manuel and Enrique, in 1919 and arrived in San Gabriel, California in 1922. There, she and the boys joined the rest of the Meza clan — her brother and three sisters and their families. Henry's earliest memories were of his Mother's strength and bravery and he remained devoted to her for all of his life.
As with any change, there was a period of adjustment. However, the boys thrived in their new surroundings. Henry was precocious and intelligent and quickly became the go-to guy in the family. He was also very enterprising and soon had a newspaper route and shoe shine stand.
The families were very much involved in the San Gabriel Mission Parish and Henry became a staple serving as an altar boy and later as a guide leading celebrities and tourists around the grounds of the Mission.
His fondest memories were of the Annual "Fiesta Days", held every August in San Gabriel. He performed in plays commemorating the founding of the Mission, he joined the folkloric dance troupes, and even toured with the group to perform in Mexico City. As many of you know, Henry has always been gregarious, the life of the party and has loved being "on stage". If he wasn't part of the performance, he was the designated MC!
Henry graduated from San Gabriel Mission Grammar School and Alhambra High School. While attending Alhambra High, Henry discovered his penchant for woodworking. Some of the furniture pieces he built during the 30's are still in use in his daughters' and grandchildren's homes. One of his first employers was the Molding Supply Company in Alhambra, California. Job Description: "Operate various woodworking machines in the making of cabinets and other wood furnishings, operate such machines as planer, joiners, saws, and other machines, some construction work in carpentry." Henry worked there from 1937 to 1942.
Somewhere around 1940, Henry made a fortuitous visit to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Relatives gave a great welcoming party and invited a neighbor, Margarita Fourzan. Henry charmed and was charmed by this neighbor, and when he revisited Chihuahua, he formally courted Margarita. As fate would have it though, Henry was drafted and the courtship became a truly long distance relationship when he was sent overseas.
Henry served as a Tech/4, Sargent, Ordinance Department. He arrived in Europe on 19 September 1943, and participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe, Rhineland Battles/Campaigns. He received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Medal. He returned to the States on 14 September 1945, and was honorably discharged on 4 November 1945.
According to stories related by Henry, his tour of duty in Europe was a wonderful experience where he met unforgettable individuals, toured the country and learned a smattering of French and German and used his Spanish language skills to great advantage. However, those stories were a glossing of the facts of the enormity of his participation and experiences — which were shared with the family only as recently as the 50th anniversary of D-Day. We, as a family, have always been proud of Henry's service to our country and grateful for the deep sense of patriotism instilled in us, but we now know him to be a true hero for having endured such trauma as that which remained vivid in his memory until the end of his life.
During his tour of duty, his correspondence with Margarita continued and with only one or two "Henry sightings" between 1942 and November 1945, they were married on November 19, 1945.
WOW what chutzpah on both of their parts! Especially on Margarita's part -- moving to a totally different country, leaving her family in Chihuahua, and moving in with Henry's family — whom she had NEVER met!! The marriage worked — Henry and Margarita celebrated 62 1/2 years of marriage before Margarita's passing in 2007. They were made for each other — Henry being enterprising, hard working, providing the best for his family and Margarita being enterprising, hard working, supportive, loving, number one cheerleader, and the best dance partner ever!!
Henry and Margarita lived in San Gabriel until January of 1947, when they, their 3 month old first born, Rosa Maria Margarita, and Adelaida, moved to their first and only home in El Sereno. Second daughter, Ana Carolina, arrived in 1949 completing the family group.
During this time, Henry worked at Vinnell Steel. In later visits to Dodger Stadium, Henry would proudly point out the sections of the stadium that he had helped forge and rivet. After Vinnell Steel closed down, Henry worked at two separate wood framing companies until his retirement in 1977.
During his working years, Henry most often would have a month's long vacation. The family enjoyed car trips from L.A. to Washington State, L.A. to Acapulco, camping trips to Sequoia, Yosemite, and almost yearly visits to Chihuahua.
Henry and Margarita were very involved in both All Saints Parish and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Henry always readily volunteering to serve Mass or to usher. He became a member of the Knights of Columbus and was part of the founding group of the Guadalupe Society at All Saints.
Additionally, Henry served with the local VFW and, after retirement, he served as President of the East Area Seniors Federation, attended adult education extension courses at ELAC, served on the Grand Jury, took daily 3-5 mile walks and just kept all around busy!
Both Henry and Margarita were voracious readers, history buffs

and shared a passion for dancing and travel. Their dancing would literally stop the show. Many a time they were the first to hit the floor and the last to leave the party!!
After retiring and over the course of approximately twenty years, their travels took them to China, Russia, Thailand, Japan, Europe (several times), Panama, South America, Mexico, most of the USA and Canada.
In between and around all of this activity, Henry and Margarita made it a priority to be integrally involved in their grandchildren's lives. They attended births, baptisms, every holiday celebration, school functions, birthday parties, trips to Disneyland, graduations and weddings. Grandma and Grandpa were at the ready to love, sooth, calm, cajole, encourage, cheer and bless.
Our beautiful and loving Margarita passed away on May 30, 2007. She lived long enough to meet, bless, hold and kiss 4 of her great-grandchildren.
Henry met, blessed, held and kissed 7 of them. The 8th is in the wings and we are sure that her Grandpa-papa will deliver her to us with a great big kiss clutched in her little fist.
Henry is survived by daughters Rosemary (David) and Carol (Gilbert), grandchildren Melinda (Mauricio), Daniel (Kelly), Carrie (Paolo), Gilbert, Michael and Kathryn. And seven great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jalen, Kiara, Cameron Rose, Madden, Marley, and Parker Rosemary. First Cousins: Rebecca, Bob, Consuelo, Manuel, Lupe, Lily and Jaime. Niece Madeline and nephew Victor.
Henry M. Rivas has left a greater legacy than he could have ever imagined — his Faith, his family values, his work ethic, his patriotism, his pride in his heritage, his service to his Church and his community, his strength in adversity, and most importantly the content of his loving heart!

GRANDPA
Remarks by Daniel S. McNutt — January 18, 2012

When Melinda was a little girl, she loved taking walks with her Grandpa. They would usually take their strolls around his house in El Sereno or in Eagle Rock, by hers. But one of these walks was very special because it took place far away from home. It was a rare occasion that Grandma and Grandpa were able to go with us to our annual summer trip to Lake Tahoe, but this one year, when Mel was about four years old, they were able to join us.
At the Tahoe house, Mel remembers gazing out that big window that overlooked most of the valley and thinking she could see a bear cave amongst some rocks not too far away.
"You're right," Grandpa said, "I see those bear feet sticking right out. Let's go have a look and talk to those bears!"
Mel was stunned, she thought, "We can't go down there and wake up those bears!" But then it occurred to her, "Wow! My Grandpa knows how to talk to bears! He must be the bravest person in the world! As long as he's with me, everything will be okay."
They walked down to those rocks everyday that week, but never found the cave. She remembers how safe it felt holding his hand and every year since, she looks out that window and searches for that bear cave, thinking of her fun and brave Grandpa.
Everyone who knew Henry Rivas has their own special, unique memories about him. Today, I have the tremendous privilege to speak to you on behalf of my sisters, Melinda and Carrie about our own experiences growing up with Grandpa and what he meant to us. Maybe, through these memories, you can reflect on what he meant to you.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Grandpa is his contagious laughter. Grandpa loved to laugh. And he loved to make people laugh even more. As someone who considers himself fairly witty, I would always be in awe of Grandpa's sense of humor. He would have me rolling with laughter before I knew what hit me, along with everyone else in the vicinity, including himself, often struggling to catch his own breath.
The best thing about Grandpa's humor was that it was never malicious, was never used at another's expense, except maybe his own, and it always brought happiness to those lucky enough to be around him. Armed with his sense of humor as well as his uncanny ability to talk to anyone, Grandpa was always the life of the party. Sometimes I stop and think of Grandpa in Heaven, the greatest known party in the universe, and him holding court; his Mague by his side, surrounded by loved ones, old friends and quite a few new ones, bringing tears of laughter to their eyes.
Carrie loves to remember our many trips to Bob's Big Boy with Grandma and Grandpa; with Grandpa raving all the way there about how delicious the burgers were, only to order liver and onions almost every time. And whenever leaving Bob's, or say the supermarket or park, Grandpa would inevitably make us laugh when half way home he would shout out roll call to make sure he didn't forget anyone, "Melinda, are you there? Carrie, are you there? Danny?"
Going to Grandma and Grandpa's house as kids always brought out such an indescribable sense of excitement. It's not like they let us run wild or have unlimited amounts of sweets. There wasn't a bounce house or Ferris wheel in the backyard. We didn't even watch a lot of TV there. The only memorable treat we had was a cup of coffee with mostly cream and sugar, which we were never suppose to mention to mommy or daddy.
What made Grandma and Grandpa's so special was the pure warmth and love that filled that house. Grandma's soothing smile and her delicious cooking would warm you from the inside out. Grandpa's young spirit and unending enthusiasm made you smile all day long. And the magic that existed between Grandma and Grandpa was plain enough even for a child to see. The love they had for each other was tangible and filled that house to overflowing. They complimented each other so well. Grandma as the sweet but playfully stern wife, and Grandpa the

loving but mischievous husband who would be lost without his Mague.
Grandpa was always, to the day he died, concerned about us grandkids. Growing up, Grandpa would always ask how our teachers, our principals, bosses and even students were treating us. He would always say about anyone giving us grief, "Send them to my office". An office I still have yet to see but knew was there and would be big trouble for anyone unfortunate enough to go there. I have a feeling though, if we were ever to take him up on his offer, that our adversary would soon leave Grandpa's office as a new friend that would treat us better than any threat or warning could accomplish.
Other memories of Grandpa include his rough, blue collared hands gently finding the crooks of our necks for a good tickle. Making him the perfect cup of coffee, with lots of sugar and lots of cream. He told each one of us we made the best cup of coffee in the world, and if we were in any doubt he'd prove the point with a sip and an exuberant "ahhhhh". Something his great grandkids do to this day…mostly with juice. Despite his lack of knowledge around the kitchen, Grandpa would always offer to boil us some water, then politely ask for directions. And he would always ask if he could help us wash the dishes, somehow, without fail, right before we were finished. And no matter at what age he was, Grandpa would always be the first one on the dance floor, chase down any ice cream truck, or even race us from the driveway to the house.
Even in Grandpa's final days he gave us our most precious memories. Playing catch with 3 year old Madden, his fifth and most rough and tumble great grandchild. Recognizing baby Parker in a seemingly unconscious state and crying, "She looks just like her mommy. She looks just like Mel." Or when saying hello to him he immediately asked me how I was doing, "I'm fine Grandpa, but how are you?" "Oh, pretty good" he said back with a joyful and defiant voice. Never wanting to trouble his grandkids with life's ugly truths.
As adults now, we are aware that life isn't as ideal and dreamlike as it seemed when we were children. We know that Henry Rivas was not perfect. None of us here are. But we also know, that to us, Henry Rivas was, without a doubt, a perfect Grandpa. So if you haven't already, don't be afraid to share a laugh today. Grandpa will be laughing right along with you, trying to catch his breath.

THANK YOU
By Melinda McNutt Vazquez

On behalf of my family, we would like to thank all of you for being here with us today to honor our grandpa. Thank you for being part of his life and ours. Thank you for adopting him as your Grandpa too. We are proud to share him.

We would like to give special thanks to Norma, Carmen and Andres Castellon. Carmen Herrera. Ana Angel.
Mr. Tony Castrellon and his mother Guadalupe.
Without their selfless help our Grandpa would not have been able to remain in his home for the last four years of his life.
We thank you with all of our hearts.

• Quiero agradecer a todos ustedes a nombre de mi familia y mio por acompañarnos en este dia en que honramos a nuestro querido abuelo.
• Gracias por ser parte de su vida y nuestro mundo.
• Gracias por adoptarlo tambien como su abuelo.
• Lo compartimos con orgullo..

• Quiero agradecer de manera muy especial a Norma, Carmen y Andres Castellon.
• Carmen Herrera.
• Ana Angel
• y el señor Tony Castrellon y su madre Guadalupe
• Sin su ayuda incondicional nuestro abuelo no hubiera podido disfrutar los ultimos cuatro años de la casa que tanto amaba.
• Por su cariño, voluntad y paciencia les agradecemos de todo corazon.