2017 Andrew Rivera

ANDREW RIVERA

Organ and Tissue Donor

Age 29 ~ Bronx, NY

Donated on 7/8/2015

at North Shore University Hospital – Manhasset, NY

Honored by LiveOnNY at LiveOnNY.org

Andrew Rivera was a smart, fun-loving person who loved being with his family, laughing and goofing around. He loved cartoons, music and video games. Andrew graduated from high school as an honor student on the Dean’s List. He attended Bronx Community College and studied Computer Technology. Andrew held a position with the Department of Health and Hygiene which he enjoyed very much. On July 8, 2015, Andrew passed of a massive stroke at the North Shore University Hospital; he was 29. He always wanted to be a superhero and now he is. He continues to live on in others. Ten months after Andrew’s passing the Rivera family had the pleasure of meeting three miracles who received Andrew’s gift of life.

Andrew’s Story

Andrew Rivera was a smart, fun-loving person who loved being with his family, laughing and goofing around. He loved cartoons, music and video games. Andrew would buy new video games and play for hours until he completed the game. He was a very big comic book fan and loved all of his superheroes, especially Batman.

In junior high school, Andrew took an interest in law. Andrew graduated from high school as an honor student on the Dean’s List. He attended Bronx Community College and studied Computer Technology. Andrew held a position with the Department of Health and Hygiene which he enjoyed very much.

At age 25, he met someone and helped raise her two children, one whom had special needs. Andrew didn’t just love him but aided him with his therapy sessions, which got him walking and communicating.

On July 8, 2015, Andrew passed of a massive stroke at the North Shore University Hospital; he was 29. In our grief, we saw no light, just sorrow. It was then we decided to donate his organs so that his death could save others. He always wanted to be a superhero and now he is. To honor our hero, we gave him a superhero sendoff with a Batman-themed funeral. We asked all who attended to wear a superhero t-shirt.

Losing a child is the hardest thing a parent can ever experience, but knowing he continues to live on in others helps a little. A few months after losing Andrew, we received a letter from the person who received Andrew’s heart. What a bittersweet moment. When we read that she was alive and doing well because of Andrew we couldn’t stop crying, not out of sorrow but out of glee that a piece of our son was still alive. Ten months after Andrew’s passing we had the pleasure of meeting three miracles. We shared much laughter and many tears. This was the moment we knew that he meant so much, not only to us, but to them as well.