Jose San Nicolas Rivera, born June 22, 1920, in Agana, Guam, passed away Feb. 4, 2005, in San Diego, Calif., at the age of 84 due to complications from long term congestive heart failure.  He was an 18-year resident of Oak Harbor.

He entered the Navy Oct. 1, 1939, and was medically retired in 1965.  He was a Pearl Harbor survivor during World War II and also served in the Korean War.  Joe was most regarded for his extraordinary cooking, great dancing, patience, kindness, generosity, but most of all for his devotion and love for his family.  He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends. 

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty;” his seven children, Karen Rivera Rye, Jens Rivera, Steve Rivera, Donna Rivera, Chris Rivera, Mark Rivera, Leslie Rivera Mason; his sister, Catalina Materne; his 17 grandchildren; and his five great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews who reside on Guam and in the state of Washington.  Services were held Feb. 11 in San Diego, Calif.