Angel Rivas

Loving, generous, and kind, Angel Rivas lived a wholehearted life, rich in family and friends. Angel was positive, hard-working, and a quick thinker who confidently found ways to help others. For those who knew him best, Angel’s smiles, jokes, and hugs inspired humor, hope, and a deep sense of being seen and appreciated. And his steadfast presence was a comfort for all who knew he was always only a call away. A beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, Angel will be deeply missed and always remembered by those he loved so dearly.

The much-loved son of Nicolas Rivas and Cristina Ysabel Jimenez, Angel was a loving and caring brother to his siblings, Veronica, Yovany, Mireya, Eric, Amy, Shaila, and Freddy. Angel’s parents were born in Mexico. Many years ago, Angel’s mother moved her family to the north side of Grand Rapids, where Angel loved playing soccer, playing basketball, and riding bikes with his neighborhood friends and siblings.

Angel attended Congress Elementary, Alger Middle, and Central High schools. He played soccer and loved drawing and sketching during his middle school years. Though he took some classes at Grand Rapids Community College, he did not complete a degree program.

Angel loved traveling he enjoyed learning about other people and cultures some of his favorite trips were to Dubai, Miami, Texas, Chicago, New York, Vegas and Arizona. When not traveling and working Angel enjoyed spending time with some of his many friends, and living life to fullest, some would even say that Angel was quite the ladies man. Angel had one major goal in life, to purchase a house and have his mother move in with him he was able to complete this goal prior to his passing.

While Angel worked as a mail clerk for the United States Postal Service, he also pursued his creative passions and ambitions to serve through his own clothing brand, “Dia Uno,” which means day one. The brand’s logo featured the robin, Michigan’s state bird, and the cherry blossom. In Angel’s own words, “The cherry blossom represents the fragility and beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful, but that it is also tragically short.”

Angel led with his heart in all things, and he loved being an amazing uncle and engaging with his family. His nieces, Melanie, Eva, and Analiyah, and nephews, Alexander, Mateo, and Ismael, were his heart’s delight, and he cherished his time with them. Angel loved Mexican food, eggs with chorizo, burritos, steak, and meals at Raising Cane’s.

Though our days with him were far too few, every moment we shared with Angel is a gift we will always treasure. As we face the unknown future in the absence of Angel’s unwavering companionship, may we find comfort in our treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying Angel’s beautiful legacy forward. In each moment we choose to be loving, supportive, generous, and kind, greet a stranger as a friend, choose hope over fear, confidently face life’s challenges, offer comfort and support to those in need, celebrate life’s joys, and cheer on our loved ones’ goals and dreams, we keep Angel’s memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Angel Rivas, age 32, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on May 24, 2026.

Angel is survived by his parents, Nicolas Rivas and Cristina Jimenze; his siblings, Veronica, Yovany, Mireya, Eric, Amy, Shaila, and Freddy. Angel leaves behind a large number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Angel family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 4 – 8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

To leave a memory or sign Angel’s personal guest book, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com