Help for Brooke Rivera and her family

In honor of this man, and to support our colleague, I would like to raise funds to help Brooke and her family offset some of the inevitable costs of this personal tragedy. All funds raised will go directly to Brooke and spent at the Family's discretion. Rest in peace Mitch

In Honor of Captain Mitchell Rivera

Sadly, the world lost one of its great aviators -- Brooke’s husband and best friend, Capt. Mitchell (Mitch) Anthony Rivera, commercial airline pilot, passed away on Friday, September 17th after a long, arduous battle with COVID-19 and subsequent complications, just shy of his 55th birthday. Mitch was loved by all who had the good fortune of being part of his life and leaves behind three children, Nicholas (Nick) Mitchell, 24yrs; Santiago (Santi) Basilio del Toro, 13yrs; Isabela Sophia (Sofi) del Toro, 11yrs; mother (Abuela) and large family spread across the island of Puerto Rico.

For those who knew Mitch, he lit up the room with his smile. He was selfless, genuine – full of joy, humor and love, always up for an adventure. In addition to his passion for flying the friendly skies, he was athletic, brave and proud to serve his country as a Federal Officer for the Dept of Homeland Security. He loved biking, skiing, scuba diving, boating and swimming off the coast of Puerto Rico. His favorite swimming holes included Jobos and Rincon, where the family will return him to the sea. Just months before the world lost Mitch, he saved the lives of four drowning tourists in Rincon, P.R, in two separate incidents. He even purchased a lifeguard torpedo so that he would be better prepared for water rescues in the future. He will always be our beloved aviator, father (Papi), son, husband, friend, uncle, patriot. May he look down from the clouds with angel’s wings and continue to be the family’s personal lifeguard.

Fair skies, calm winds. Fly west, my friend.