Bridgewater EMT Justin Rivera's 'Smile Could Light Up A Room'

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Justin P. Rivera would give you the shirt off his back without asking any questions. He has been described as a "truly amazing" person with a "smile that could light up the room."

Now the rescue community is mourning the loss of its beloved friend.

Rivera, 47, died on Thursday, Dec. 27 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Somerset in Somerville with family by his side following medical issues related to his damaged intestines, according to a GoFundMe site.

The GoFundMe site was set up to help Rivera and his wife of 13 years, Michelle to help cover medical, and now, funeral expenses. Michelle is currently unemployed due to her ongoing battle with her medical illness.

"He was a great man and will be missed dearly, Michelle needs our help and support now more than ever as she begins to prepare funeral arrangements," the GoFundMe site stated.

Rivera has lived in Somerset County most of his life, residing in Branchburg in 1985 before moving to Hillsborough in 2000 and then Manville in 2005.

An avid car lover, Rivera drove Fords yet could always be found in his parent’s driveway or garage working on classic Chevys, according to his obituary by Fucillo and Warren Funeral Home in Manville.

He also loved to go four-wheeling with friends, taking long, fast rides on his motorcycle with friends, going to the shooting range, working on his work trucks, and more recently listening to country music.

He graduated from Immaculata High School in Somerville, Class of 1989 before attending classes at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch.

Rivera was the owner and operator of Plan B Transport of Manville and a member of Tow 411.

Giving back to the community was also very important to Rivera as he served as a member of the Finderne First Aid and Rescue Squad in Bridgewater for the past 15 years and was a former sergeant of the Finderne First Aid and Rescue Squad as well as a past vice president for more than 10 years. He was also captain of the EMS Angels of Central New Jersey.

Rivera is predeceased by his father, maternal grandmother, Reg; his great nanny; and his canine friend, "Buzz."

He is survived by, his loving and devoted wife of 13 years, Michelle Lynn (nee Fields) Rivera; three dear siblings, Steve Rivera of Hillsborough, Jon Rivera of Hillsborough, and Jessica and her husband Wayne Bonner of Pinebush, New York; dear sister-in-law, Cindy Fields; cherished nephew, Matthew Bonner; and his feline friends, "CoCo" and "Mama."

A viewing will be held at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main St., Manville on Thursday, Jan. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 4 from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Funeral services will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at the funeral home followed by an 11:30 a.m. funeral liturgy at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville.

Committal words and disposition will follow in the chapel at Somerset Hills Memorial Park & Mausoleum in Basking Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to GoFundMe.com/justinandmichelle.

(Image via GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)

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