Reinaldo Rivera Santaella

Reinaldo Rivera Santaella, 76, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, peacefully passed away on May 10, 2026. He was an excellent son, husband, friend, and father who dedicated his life to his family and his country. A proud veteran of the United States Army, he served with honor during the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Specialist. He followed the noble example of military service set by his father, carrying this pride throughout his life and always loving to share captivating stories from his time overseas.

Reinaldo was a skilled automotive upholsterer, mechanic, and talented handyman who was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. He found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, including action movies, animals, and his favorite treat, chocolate. Above all, his absolute favorite hobby was spending quality time surrounded by his family. As a grandfather, he was known for his playful spirit and unique sense of humor, always ready to share a quirky joke with his grandchildren. His distinctive, raspy laugh and snort was a comforting and unmistakable presence in the lives of his family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Celso Rivera Mercado and Edith Santaella Mercado, and his dear siblings, Jorge and Dalia Rivera Santaella.

His legacy of love and service lives on through his surviving family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Rosa Santos Huertas; his children, José Rivera Santos and Jesmar Rivera Santos; his grandchildren, Joseph, Josean and Willy; his great-grandchildren, Nikolai, Avery, Natalia and Carmelo; and his brother, Celso E. Rivera Santaella.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, May 15, 2026, at Old St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens.

The family will gather prior to the funeral mass from 12:30-2:30 PM at SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC

------------------

Reinaldo Rivera Santaella, de 76 años, nacido en Ponce, Puerto Rico, falleció pacíficamente el 10 de mayo de 2026. Fue un excelente hijo, esposo, amigo y padre que dedicó su vida a su familia y a su país. Un orgulloso veterano del Ejército de los Estados Unidos, sirvió con honor durante la Guerra de Vietnam, alcanzando el rango de Especialista. Siguió el noble ejemplo de servicio militar establecido por su padre, llevando este orgullo a lo largo de su vida y siempre amando compartir historias cautivadoras de su tiempo en el extranjero.

Reinaldo era un tapicero de automóviles, mecánico y una persona que hacía de todo, siempre dispuesto a ofrecer una mano amiga a cualquiera que lo necesitara. Encontró gran alegría en los placeres simples de la vida, incluyendo películas de acción, animales y su dulce favorito, el chocolate. Por encima de todo, su pasatiempo favorito absoluto era pasar tiempo de calidad rodeado de su familia. Como abuelo, era conocido por su espíritu juguetón y su sentido del humor único, siempre dispuesto a compartir un chiste peculiar con sus nietos. Su risa ronca y distintiva y su resoplido eran una presencia reconfortante e inconfundible en las vidas de su familia.

Le precedieron en la muerte sus amados padres, Celso Rivera Mercado y Edith Santaella Mercado, y sus queridos hermanos, Jorge y Dalia Rivera Santaella.

Su legado de amor y servicio perdura a través de su familia sobreviviente. Le sobreviven su devota esposa, Rosa Santos Huertas; sus hijos, José Rivera Santos y Jesmar Rivera Santos; sus nietos, Joseph, Josean y Willy; sus bisnietos, Nikolai, Avery, Natalia y Carmelo; y su hermano, Celso E. Rivera Santaella.

La misa fúnebre se celebrará el viernes 15 de mayo de 2026 a las 3:00PM horas en la iglesia católica Old St. Mary Help of Christians. El sepelio tendrá lugar a continuación en el cementerio Sunset Memory Gardens.

La familia se reunirá antes de la misa fúnebre de 12:30 a 2:30PM en la funeraria SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC.