John Rivera Cremation and Family Living Funds
Donation protected
On August 5, 2022, John Rivera passed away peacefully after ongoing health issues in Greensboro, North Carolina. He leaves behind Caroline Weiss (wife), Penny Weiss (daughter), parents, siblings, and many friends. John also leaves behind a legacy of records produced by his label Headfirst! Records. He created countless memories from hanging out with friends at punk/metal shows, wrestling matches, or comic shops. He carefully curated Punks on Paper - a comprehensive digital archive of North Carolina’s punk/hardcore scene. John was most proud of Penny - her creativity, curiosity, and big heart. He loved working with Penny on her Pawsitive Pins project; John loved every drawing and was always excited to share how much money she raised for charity!
For all of us who knew John, we knew that he would move mountains for us and support us in whatever way he could. John would listen, provide help/connections, and give you the shirt off his back. The past few years have been tough for John, Caroline, and Penny.
Caroline and Penny need your support:
- Cremation ($5000); costs covering the cremation process and a vessel for his ashes
- Mortgage + Bills ($1,500 x 6 months); Caroline was John’s full-time caretaker. While Caroline transitions to fully supporting Penny independently after this devastating loss, we want to ensure they have a cushion.
- Penny’s Future ($10,000+); Penny’s spinal surgery went well in 2020, but we want to be able to support any unforeseen future health expenses and predictable ones that most teenagers experience, like braces. We also want to be able to give Penny the option to attend college or trade school without a financial burden. Let’s support Penny in dreaming big, being healthy, and navigating whatever life brings her.
- Memento Mori Reliquaries ($1000); John wanted to allow his daughter and family to have some of his ashes in jewelry or other ephemera to always have him around.
Whether you knew John through online communities or had the privilege of hanging out with him in person, your support would be invaluable. Whatever amount you could give would mean the world to Caroline and Penny. Please support them during this incredibly difficult time. And don’t forget - if you ever want to feel closer to John, throw on a headbanger.
P.S. Any “surplus” funding beyond the goal will be saved for Penny’s future. Not comfortable with using GoFundMe? You can support Caroline and Penny through Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, or Target gift cards. Digital gift cards can be emailed directly to Caroline Weiss. Gifting them gift cards for ingredients to make tasty vegan meals would be incredibly helpful.
This campaign was created with the support of Caroline Weiss; all funds will be directly distributed to Caroline.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Marsom
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Caroline Weiss
Beneficiary