Sergio Luis Diaz-Rivera's Obituary
CW5 Sergio Luis Díaz-Rivera was born in 1952 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, made friends with everyone he met, and passed away unexpectedly on April 9th, 2024 at the age of 71 in Tamarac, Florida. He loved and was loved by many who knew him as Serg, Chief, Dad, Abuelo, Sergito, and Abuelito.
In his spare time, he loved gardening, connecting with family, teaching, laughing, singing, helping others, learning, and passionately cheering on the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Hurricanes football teams.
Sergio proudly served in the United States Army for over 42 years, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5), with deployments in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Outside of his military career, he worked as a Biomedical Engineer at St. Joseph's Hospital, Lee's Summit Hospital, and North Kansas City Hospital.
Sergio had an incredible sense of humor, was a selfless leader, proud Puerto Rican, patriotic American, Home Depot MacGyver, and knew a little bit about everything. He insisted on giving people nicknames and also had a special knack for hand-drawing birthday and Christmas cards for his kids and grandkids.
Sergio was preceded in death by his parents Celio Díaz Morales and Elicia "Alicia" Rivera Clas, sister Ana Elsa "Elsie" Díaz Santiago, and brother Rafael Díaz-Rivera. He is survived by his children Brandon "Daddio" and Sarah "Sarita" Díaz, Lindy "Grillita" Díaz, & Marli "Coqui" and Scott Penderis, nephew Juan Carlos "Juanky" García Díaz, niece Ani García Díaz and grandchildren Madisyn "Madi-boo" Tucker, Chase "Veterano" Enz, Hayden "JuJuBee" Díaz, Cole "Cano" Díaz, Preston "Pitirre" Penderis, & Isabella "Chachita" Penderis.
The family will be celebrating his life on Saturday April 20th at 2:00 pm at Alexander-Levitt Funerals (8135 W McNab Rd., Tamarac, FL 33321) and asks that any donation made in Sergio's honor go towards the "Wounded Warrior Project." For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be streamed via Zoom: https://www.shiva.com/9k0aiyz4
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