In Memoriam: Luis Ríos

Luis Ríos (October 25, 1955 - October 14, 2024)

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Luis Ríos’ death. He died suddenly of a heart attack on Monday, October 14. He was at his home in New Jersey. A wake will take place on Monday evening, with details forthcoming.

Luis was born October 25, 1955 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An avid sports fan, he supported Argentina’s Boca Juniors. An accountant by profession, he worked in the banking sector and owned his own accounting firm. He retired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luis was committed to the wellbeing of others and to the building up of community. For many years he served as the president of the Argentine Center of New Jersey. For nearly a decade, Luis has provided housing for immigrant families and young people with Pastor Fabián Arias serving as guardian. More than 30 people have benefited from Luis’ open heart on the journeys to establish stable housing and acclimating to life in the United States.

A member of Iglesia de Sion since 2006, Luis served a number of years as treasurer. Ever since coming to Saint Peter’s and since the merger of the two congregations, he was present in the assembly every week and accompanied by his faithful and beloved dog, Loly.

Luis is survived in the United States by his brother, Ricardo Ríos, and will be inurned in the columbarium at Saint Peter’s next to his mother, Nelly Ríos. A date for this inurnment has not yet been set, but will take place in the coming weeks.

Please hold Luis’ family, and all of us who mourn his death, in your prayers.

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother, Luis. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen