Eliu Rivera (December 8, 1943 – October 1, 2017) was a
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
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politician who represented District 4 on the
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It lies west of the lower Hudson River, which was named for Henry Hudson, the sea captain who explored the area in 1609. Part of New Jersey's Gateway Region in t ...
Board of Chosen Freeholders, one of nine members who serve in a legislative role administering all county business. District 4 includes portions of the City of
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark.Aibonito, Puerto Rico and migrated with his family to the mainland United States at an early age. He attended local schools, graduated from
William L. Dickinson High School
William L. Dickinson High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school located in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades as part of the Jersey City Public Sch ...
in Jersey City. Then worked in the United States Postal Service and continued his education at Rutgers University and Saint Peter's University. He later received an honorary doctorate for his community work from New Jersey City University.Mota, Caitlin "Former freeholder and Puerto Rican leader Eliu Rivera dies at 74" '' The Jersey Journal'', October 2, 2017. Accessed October 2, 2017.
A community activist, Rivera was employed by the Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization (P.A.C.O.) agency since 1970 and serving as its Executive Director, Rivera worked extensively in the housing, economic development, health, education and community development areas.
Rivera is a former Deputy Mayor of Jersey City. In 2012, the corner of Manila Avenue and Second Street was renamed in his honor.
Rivera died on October 1, 2017, at Menonita Hospital in his hometown Aibonito, Puerto Rico, at age 73, from the lingering effects of a chemical he had accidentally inhaled six years earlier that required him to breathe from an oxygen tank.Kowsh, Kate "Hudson County Freeholder Eliu Rivera has upbeat prognosis after weeks in hospital" '' The Jersey Journal'', July 1, 2011. Accessed October 2, 2017. "Jersey City Freeholder Eliu Rivera has been hospitalized for several weeks and was in stable condition yesterday at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, colleagues said.Rivera, 67, was hospitalized earlier this month after unintentionally inhaling an unknown substance, Freeholder Chairman William O’Dea said."