Obituary of Albert R. Rivero

Albert R. Rivero, 73, of Binghamton, died Saturday morning, July 24, 2021, at his home. He is predeceased by his wife of 30 years, Roberta Rivero (née Rosen). He is survived by his daughter, Mariel Rivero; his sister, Estela Rivero; his cousin, Raymond Soneira; his cousin, Noelie Rodriguez; and his companion, Paula Rizzo. He was born in New York City, came to Binghamton for college, and then stayed for the "Valley of Opportunity". He was a civil servant throughout his career. He began as an investigator for the New York State Division of Human Rights. But, he spent the majority of his career as an administrator for the Binghamton Psychiatric Center. While there, his fair-mindedness, creativity, and encyclopedic knowledge distinguished him as someone who could get anything done, from curating the facility museum to ensuring that hospital residents had an opportunity to vote. He possessed a rare combination of seriousness of purpose and playfulness. Much of his time was spent studying what it means to live wisely and well. He was deeply curious about the world in general, but even more so about the inner world of the people in his life. He listened when you talked. He heard you. What mattered most to him is that the people in his life knew that he cared about them. This might mean incorporating you into his long-running fictional baseball league, donning a lucha libre mask for a laugh, or challenging you to a spirited battle of balloon tennis. He took tremendous pleasure in finding moments of levity. However, he could also engage you in lengthy discussions of film, books, or the latest from the New York Times. He wanted so much to live a good life. And he succeeded. His light will shine on in all who knew him. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Broome County Humane Society, 2 Jackson St, Binghamton, NY 13903