FLORIDA, USA - Jose (Pipo) Berrios Riviera, 94, passed away on November 21 ^st , 2021, at Holy Cross Hospice Hospital, of injuries sustained after being hit by a car. He was born March 14, 1927, in Calabazas, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, the 4 ^th eldest son of Eleven Brothers and Sister to Venacio Berrios Diaz and Jesusa Riviera Alvarez.

Jose attended both junior and high school in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico through the 10 ^th grade - and as most male children within that era - left school to help support his mother and siblings after the death of his young father due to pneumonia.

On January 17 ^th , 1952 -- Jose would enlist in the US Army during the Korean War conflict; and serve proudly - unbeknownst to him at the time-  - with what we know today was the famous [all] Puerto Rican `Borinqueneers' regimen - better known to the world as the 65 ^th Infantry -- a regimen that fought valiantly and with distinction  in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War - and was awarded the congressional gold medal of honor by President Obama on June 10 ^th , 2014 .

On November 23 ^rd , 1952, Jose would be honorably discharged, after two - years of active service with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Shortly after his discharge from the US Army, Jose would move from his home in Puerto Rico to The Bronx, in New York City - where he would, for most of his life, work 2 jobs as a custodian until his retirement. In 1959 he would meet, fall in love, and marry Lydia Rosario - who he would remain married to for 59 years until her death in 2007.

Jose came from a devout Catholic up-bringing and family that prayed together. He grew up to be a devout Christ like man who, even in his late age, would rarely miss a mass service - unless he was sick.

Jose is survived by his sister Maria (Tury) Berrios, and children; Jose (Joe) Berrios, Sandra (Sandy) Berrios, Evelyn Aponte - Rojas, Wilburt Aponte, Haydee Ayes and Nibia Rolon. His Grandchildren Christina Berrios, Jonathan Maldonado, Derek Maldonado, Justin Montes, Abraham Rojas Jr, Abel Rojas, Aileen Rojas, Nimarie Soto, Aaron Aponte, Lisette Ayes, Cindy Ayes, Anabelle Ayes and Karla Ayes. His Great Grandchildren and his many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial service will be held at 10 am Thursday, December 16 at Monarch Funeral Home (2950 North State Road 7, Margate, Fl 33063) - Interment will be at South Florida National Cemetery (6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449). Those who wish to remember Jose in a special way are asked to make gifts in his memory to Saint Jude Children Research Hospital - MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE BOX THAT READS DEDICATE MY DONATION https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=58700006941054395&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&ds_rl=1285465&gclid=CjwKCAiAhreNBhAYEiwAFGGKPGc2jGTrinNB0hcfxiaI-Y7-Yrvg9g_XJ9VwmUrX6X0KUonUmoQDcxoCnZEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds