Conor Harris Rivera was called home to his heavenly Father during a beautiful sunrise on Easter Sunday morning, April 21, 2019. His being here on this earth was finished and Conor was ready to soar above us all to transform into a beautiful being that matched his larger than life personality.

Everyone who knew Conor will remember him for his shenanigans – he left a legacy in most places he visited frequently.  Even though he could not express his feelings verbally, one look from Conor was worth a thousand words and you instantly knew exactly what was on his mind – good, bad, or most often, downright feisty!

Conor's world revolved around his parents and his brother, and he had a fierce love for the three of them.  In Conor's eyes, his big brother Caleb hung the moon. Anytime Caleb came around, Conor became instantly excited and ready to take on the world! Conor and Caleb seemed to share a spirit at times, always lifting each other up in that special way brothers can. When Conor's dad came home from work, Conor's eyes would light up. Dad time was a treasure for Conor who always adored playing on the floor, watching movies, and enjoying infinite snuggles and kisses from Dad. Most days, you could find Conor with his mom, either painting the town, playing with friends or dancing to his favorite music (Meghan Trainor and Taylor Swift were at the top of his list). Conor and his mom shared so much together; she was his rock and served as the body he couldn't have. They shared a bond that was palpable and felt by all who witnessed their relationship.

Conor loved music – especially the boogie-woogie kind his Papa would play on the piano with him. Conor especially enjoyed being spoiled by his Lela and Lelo and cutting up with all of his cousins. His Nana never left his side when she came to visit and Conor always loved spending time with her. Conor always looked forward to his special visitors too – his teachers coming over to read with him, his therapists coming to play with him, and his friends joining him for parades and sporting events. Copper Anita, Conor's dog, asserted herself as belonging in his life when she showed up at one of his horse therapy lessons and insisted on coming home with him! She became like a second mother, always protectively placing herself between anyone else and Conor, at least until the visitor passed her inspection, and Conor loved her deeply.

So many friends are considered family to the Riveras. In addition to these treasured loved ones, Conor is survived by his loving parents, Edwin and Tammy Rivera and his brother Caleb. Also left to carry on Conor's beautiful legacy of love are his wonderful grandparents, Enrique and Lydia Rivera and Clifford and Linda Rice; his uncles and aunts, Jose and Gloribel Rivera, Cliff Jr and Ellen Rice, Ryan Rice and Juliann Welch and Rowdy and Wendy Gaudet and his cousins, Jan Carlos and Jose Mendez, Emma and Isabell Rice and Maxwell, Lyla, Emmy-Elizabeth and Madeleine Gaudet.

The Riveras would like to extend their thanks and deepest appreciation to the amazing Sacred Heart PICU team who have all known and cared for Conor since he was a toddler, his amazing neurologist that left no stone unturned throughout this journey, all of his teachers and therapists, and especially neighbors and close friends that have helped Conor and his family over the last 15 years. With this special community around him, Conor always felt very loved.

In lieu of flowers, the Rivera family has asked donations be made to The Starfish Project. It was through the Starfish Project that Conor was able to enjoy so many events with his friends. The foundation provides special needs children with wonderful experiences to enjoy, and a much-needed break from therapy, doctor visits, and day to day worries.  Most of all, the foundation helps families like Conor's connect with other special needs families and develop relationships that grow into enduring friendships. Donations can be made through their website at www.thestarfishprojectnwfl.org

A memorial Mass honoring Conor will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church, Gulf Breeze, FL on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 11:00 am.