Life Reflections/Obituary

Rivera E. James of New Haven, CT entered into eternal rest on January 12, 2021.

He was born on February 23, 1957 in New Haven, Connecticut to Vannie Sr. and Betty James. He is the second eldest of eight children having five brothers and two sisters.

Growing up Rivera spent his summer vacations visiting his grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins in Birmingham, Alabama - "The Family Vacations" .  These infamous family road trips were filled with fun, bonding time as well as the never-ending memories and stories of the good old days.  He also enjoyed his crew of relatives in Connecticut with them having family cook-outs and bonding time.

He was educated in the New Haven public school system attending Quinnipiac Elementary School, Betsy Ross Middle School and thereafter he attended and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School, class of 1976 .

Rivera was a "people person", a popular student in High School and in Eastern Circle the community where he and his family lived for many years.  Most of his classmates knew him as "Satch" and the guy that wore hats, he loved sporting fedora hats that was his signature hat style during high school.  As a teenager he was given the nickname "Satch" by a close friend and it stuck with him for the duration of his life.

He worked at Farrell Corporation in Ansonia, CT, Pratt & Whitney in North Haven, CT and ShopRite in West Haven, CT.  He was also employed by Yale University as a maintenance worker for many years and he worked as a security guard with Murphy Security Services he was stationed at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT.

Rivera loved music and one of his hobbies was spinning music on his turntables.

He used his natural talents and developed his DJ skills turning his hobby into a career.

He became a sought after DJ; he was known as "DJ Satchmo".  He DJed in the Greater New Haven area and in several states in the northeast; playing music people loved to hear and dance to, the 70's, 80's and 90's music; making birthday parties, wedding receptions, anniversaries, and many other events memorable for all in attendance. In case you did not know this "DJ Satchmo" also coached other young men to DJ. He was a frequent DJ at some of the well-known clubs in New Haven which allowed him to spend most of his career doing what he loved…. being a DJ.

Rivera enjoyed hosting family and friends' gatherings at his house during the holidays.  In his leisure time he liked watching DVD movies, listening to music, talking about the good-old days, hanging out with his friends, collecting family pictures, and cooking; and that is just naming a few.  His favorite colors were red and black.

The father of two beautiful daughters, two handsome sons and two special children that are now adults, he enjoyed the times he shared with each of them as well as the special moments spent with his grandchildren.

Faced with health challenges during his adult life, he was strong-willed with a tenacity that allowed him to recover through his challenges like a champion . He even amazed a few of his doctors with his recoveries.  "He fought a good fight".

Rivera is survived by his loving mother , Betty James of New Haven, CT, children , Eric Green, Erica Green & NaKisha Stevenson of New Haven, CT. Garrett James Walker of Ansonia, CT, special children Lakeshia Boyd & Andre Miller of New Haven, CT, 13 grandchildren; sisters , Wanda James, Jeannette James of New Haven, CT, brothers, Michael James of New Haven, CT, Andre James of Hamden, CT, Ronald James (Maria) of New Haven, CT, Vannie James Jr. (Deborah) of Hamden, CT, Carlton Bell (Cathy) of New Haven, CT, stepsisters Sparkle Daly of  Virginia, Radiant Daly of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, one Uncle, Walter Bell of Cleveland Ohio, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was predeceased by his father Vannie James Sr.