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Gilbert Rivera
1957- 2007
Gilbert Rivera was born in Corozal, Puerto Rico in 1957 and at the age of nine moved to Brooklyn with his mother and twelve brothers and sisters. Adapting quickly to the new home he came to love, he began a positive life-long involvement with New York City.
Gilbert married Erminia in 1977. In 1982 they welcomed their first son, Gilbert Jr., followed by a second son, Kevin, in 1993. In 1980 Gilbert founded AM&G Waterproofing with his brothers William, Mike and Raymond. In 1987 they went on to open Park Avenue Building & Roofing Supplies. AM&G now employs over 300 people and is the Premier Restoration Company in NYC. Park Avenue is one of the largest minority owned Building Supplier in New York City.
Gilbert was actively involved in Brooklyn life not only with the two businesses that he and his family created but with a commitment to making sure others got fair opportunities to succeed. The businesses have become major sources of economic development in their neighborhoods. Gilbert was very proud of the difference he and his family made in their Brooklyn community. He contributed time and financial resources to local organizations like the Bedford YMCA, the 79th, 88th and 73rd police precincts, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, the Teacher Preparatory School, and the Prospect Park Alliance. He chaired many fundraising activities at schools such as the Brooklyn Friends School and the Stephen Gaynor School and also devoted much of his time as a board member of numerous non-profit organizations including the National Hispanic Business Group, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
In an effort to honor Gilbert’s legacy of charitable giving, his family has formed the Gilbert Rivera Charitable Foundation. The foundation will strive to continue Gilbert’s commitment to community contribution, particularly serving the needs of children. The Foundation has also established a golf event in Gilbert’s memory. According to Raymond Rivera, “Gilbert’s spirit and generosity has continued to guide us as his memory remains in our hearts.”
Erminia Rivera says, “The Gilbert Rivera Charitable Foundation was started because our family wanted to honor Gilbert’s memory in a way that we could continue his legacy of charitable giving.”
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