Samuel Luis Rivera-Colón

Samuel Luis Rivera-Colón, age 47, passed away on February 28, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by his family, after a valiant fight with cancer. 

Sam will be remembered for his quick sense of humor, his loyal friendship, his love of animals, and his lifelong interest in video gaming.

Sam was born on September 10, 1976 to José Luis and María Socorro Colón Rivera in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sam was the third kid in the house, joining his older sisters Cindy, Mary Ann and Melanie. He attended elementary and middle school at Wesleyan Academy in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. As the girls went off to college in the U.S., Sam joined mom and dad when they later moved from San Juan to Gainesville, Florida. Sam attended and graduated from Buchholz High School in Gainesville and went on to get an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Santa Fe College. He continued his studies at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida where he received an Associate's of Arts degree in Computer Science. Sam moved far west as he pursued adventures in Saipan, Guam, and Philippines. He then moved to California to immerse himself in video game design. He continued his studies and obtained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Gaming Design from DeVry University in Los Angeles, California. After graduation, Sam was recruited by Aristocrat Technologies in Reno, Nevada with the role as a Software Engineer specializing in gaming machines. There, Sam was known to be a problem solver and he was able to explore his passion for gaming that he had from childhood. He was an accomplished computer specialist and a lover of game systems going all the way back to his first Atari days. Watching National Geographic and history shows were also his passions. 

Sam is survived by his parents José and María, his sisters Cindy Shultze, Mary Ann Candelario, cousin Melanie Phelan, his life partner Beverly Garcia, his beloved dog Fugui, and his brood of guinea pigs Rambo, Chi Chi, Albi, and Cambi.

The family will honor Sam with a Celebration of Life on March 9, 2024 at 5 PM at Harrisburg Funeral & Cremation at 3840 NC Hwy 49S Harrisburg, NC 28075. The service can also be viewed online at https://fb.me/e/1UTTFKimJ.