Manuel was born on March 23, 1948 in Greeley, Colorado and passed away on May 27, 2014 in Fresno, California. Manuel enjoyed music and loved to play his accordion. Manuel is survived by his children, Edward Rivera and his wife Monica; Norma Gomez and her husband Fernando; Silvia Esparza and her husband Macario; Elizabeth Rivera; Josephina Rivera and Celeste Rivera. He is also survived by thirty one grandchildren.