Marcellino Rivas Jr.
1937-2015

CHICO, Calif. – After a courageous fight for life, Marcellino Rivas Jr. (Marce) passed away Feb. 6, 2015, in Chico, Calif. with loved ones by his side. He was 77 years old.

Marce was born May 19, 1937, in Santa Clara, Calif., to parents Marcellino Rivas Sr. and Cecelia.

The son of a farmer, Marce grew up working the family farm in Sunnyvale where they raised livestock and grew fruits and vegetables.

Marce attended Santa Clara High School and went on to graduate class of 1958 from San Jose Junior College with a degree in drafting, but farming was in his blood.

He and bride Irene moved to Lake County where they started Rivas Orchards with his father, Marcellino Rivas Sr.

A prominent pear farmer in Scotts Valley for 30 years, he raised his sons to run the ranch by his side, just as his own father had done.

Friends and family who came to spend time on the ranch left knowing how to drive a tractor, run a forklift and of course, pick pears, and they would return year after year because of the friendships and family ties that were made there.

Marce loved to spend time camping, fishing and hunting. He was an avid bowler all of his life.

In 1995 Marce moved to Chico, Calif., where he lived his remaining years with his life partner, Louise Ritchie.

Influenced by Louise, her sons and their families, Marce acquired an interest in baseball and enjoyed spending time with them, going to spring training almost every year. He and Louise enjoyed traveling, raising their coy fish and spending time with many grandkids.

Marce is survived by his partner, Louise Ritchie; sons, Eric (Dawnette) Rivas and Marc (Gloria) Rivas; sister, Vivian (LeRoy) Gill; three grandsons, Marc Daniel Rivas, Connor Rivas and Jacob Rivas; niece, Karen (Matt) Brett; nephew, Timothy Bucknell; and the mother of his two children, Irene Rivas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marcellino Rivas Sr. and Cecelia Rivas.

The family prefers donations made to the American Thoracic Society (ATS), 25 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10004.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, Calif., at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, with a celebration of life immediately following at the Scotts Valley Women's Club.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .