Mark Rivera

On August 26th, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. Mark Rivera peacefully passed away in Taos, NM with his loving wife by his side. 

Mark was born in Santa Fe, NM in 1955. He graduated from Alamogordo High in 1973 and earned his Bachelor of Science from NMSU in 1978. He was a city planner for many years. His career took him to various places in New Mexico such as Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Gallup, Albuquerque, and Angel Fire. He retired in 2017. During Marks retirement, he was part of a seven-man crew that would volunteer for several weeks each year to clear trails for horseback riders, ranchers, and hikers. He had a true passion for trail and forest conservation. He was a New Mexico enthusiast and loved his home state deeply. 

Mark was an avid hiker, world traveler, skilled carpenter, artist, and a dedicated provider. In his early years, he loved skateboarding, rollerblading and had a passion for skiing and taught lessons for many years. Although he loved skiing, one of his favorite winter activities was snow shoeing through the mountains. 

He found joy in adventure, new experiences, simple pleasure, and seeing his visions to fruition. More than those things however, Mark was a loyal and dedicated husband to his wife, Sandra.

 Mark is deeply loved, and greatly missed, and his legacy, and the example he made of what it means to be a good man, the kind of man who takes care of his family and live life to the fullest will live forever in the hearts of those that he touched with his presence. 

Though the world may have seemed brighter with you in it, the rest of us will just have to shine a bit brighter, and in this way, we honor you, we cherish you, and we will always remember you! 

Mark is survived by his wife Sandra; sister Tracy (Jerry); Aunt Bernadette; stepchildren; Natalie (Manuel), and Amber (Syndesi). He is also survived by his grandchildren; Lilah, Olivia, Adrianna, and Ivy. He is also survived by many cousins and friends. Mark is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Patricia Rivera, and his brother Juan Lloyd Rivera. 

Special thank you to Red Willow Hospice and all of their amazing work.

Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 6pm in the Evergreen Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos.  

The family of Mark Rivera has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com