Frank C. Rivera

Frank C. Rivera, 81, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on September 5, 2025. He was born and raised in Globe, Arizona in 1944 and was a proud Globe Tiger. He was a graduate of Arizona State University, the first in his family to earn a degree in higher education, and was an active member of the Sun Angels for many years. Frank was a proud Sun Devil, but his heart always belonged to Notre Dame football. He was a referee for high school football, basketball, softball, and baseball for 32 years through the Arizona Interscholastic Association. 

For a time, he refereed at the collegiate level. He was a Construction Engineer and owned ATL, Inc. for 25 years where he contributed to the construction of Chase Field in Phoenix, T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA, the Phoenix Sky Harbor Sky Train, and many other important projects in the state and around the country. In 2001, ATL, Inc. received recognition as the National Minority Firm of the Year and Frank was honored in the U.S. Congressional Record. He was active in many professional organizations, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where he served as Chairman. 

In his spare time, he enjoyed watching and coaching his grandchildren’s sports teams. He loved his church communities, especially St. Gregory, where his grandchildren attended school, and St. Francis Xavier. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulcher and he was a Cursillista. Most importantly, he was a husband, father, Tata, and great-Tata. 

He is missed deeply by his loving wife, Irene, who he was married to for 59 years, children Frank (Liz), Christina, and Elisa, his grandchildren Frankie Joe (Morgan), Ray (Brianna), Benny, Sammy, Abie, and Maya, his great-grandchildren Kit, Emmett, Rayna, and Frankie, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elisa, and his brother Robert; it brings us comfort to think of them all together again. 

Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Viewing begins at 9:00 AM, followed by a rosary at 9:30 AM and funeral Mass at 10:00 AM. A reception will be held after at Anderson Hall.