Juan Rivera Cabrera

BIOGRAPHY

Juan Rivera Cabrera, also affectionately known as “Don Guay,” was born in the municipality of Juncos, Puerto Rico, on 3 October 1916 to parents Nepomuceno Rivera Pérez and Claudina Cabrera Rosa.

He was raised in the countryside during a period of significant hardship, which allowed him to complete only the fourth grade of formal education. His first occupation was that of a farmer, a role through which he cultivated a strong work ethic and a profound respect for the land. He later worked on sugarcane plantations and, in 1943, served as a laborer in the construction of the U.S. Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

On 10 October 1946, he married Gregoria Meléndez Rivera, with whom he raised a large and loving family. Together they had five children, who would later bless him with 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, 3 foster grandchildren, and 8 foster great-grandchildren. He was widowed at 81 and never remarried, yet he continued to be surrounded by the affection and support of his extended family.

A tireless worker, he also distinguished himself as a businessman, managing his own businesses such as a grocery store, a bar, and public transportation vehicles.

Throughout his life, he has faced and overcome significant health challenges. He survived COVID-19 in December 2021. In recognition of this milestone, in March 2022, he was invited to Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s address, as he was the oldest person in Puerto Rico to survive COVID-19, according to records from the Puerto Rico Department of Health. He later battled pneumonia, with hospitalizations in 2022 and 2023, always demonstrating his strength and resilience.

Rivera Cabrera had always been known for his simple and disciplined lifestyle. He never engaged in drinking alcohol or smoking. He was always faithful to his daily routine: drinking sweet black coffee twice a day and, after lunch, always ate chocolates. Although he consumed few fruits and vegetables, his diet was based on meats such as beef, pork, chicken, and, occasionally, fish. He was described as homebody, calm, and peaceful-minded, a man who rarely got upset and always maintained an optimistic attitude in the face of adversity. For many years, he began his mornings reading the Bible and the newspaper, a habit that reflected his desire to stay connected to his faith and the world around him.

He currently lives with his family in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

RECOGNITION

His age was verified by Gabriel Ainsworth and Fabrizio Villatoro, with assistance of his family, and validated by LongeviQuest on 13 November 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY

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