Gilbert 'Chic' Rivera Of Brick, Former Boxer, Musician, Salesman

BRICK, NJ — Gilbert "Chic" Anthony Rivera of Brick, who was an amateur boxer, a musician and a salesman, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Willow Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Brick. He was 87 years old.

Chic was born in New York City and lived in New Jersey most of his life, the last 31 years in Brick. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1947 and served as a medic and paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in the years between World War II and the Korean War.

Chic's boxing days were in his early adulthood, and he once held a New York Golden Gloves title. He was the saxophone player in the One-Eyed Jacks, a band that was renowned in NJ in the early to mid-1960s. He was a salesman for most of his life, first selling automobiles at dealerships such as Dodgeland in Springfield, NJ, but later sold life and health insurance for New York Life Insurance Company until his retirement in 2004.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Conroy Rivera, and his parents, Felipe and Rafaela Rivera. He is survived by three children, daughters Lisa Rivera of Neptune, and Carrie Melchisky and husband Gary of Newark DE, and his son Chris Rivera and wife Denise of Brick; his brother Phillip, sister Nellie, and grandchildren Nicholas and Rebecca.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Laurelton Memorial Funeral Home, 109 Pier Ave., Brick. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 13 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ.

Photo provided by Carrie Melchisky