Raul Garcia-Rivera, 67, Electrical Engineer & Founder of Custom Computer Systems

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NATICK – Raul E. Garcia-Rivera, 67, passed away January 31, 2022 with his family by his side, following a brave battle with COVID-19.

Born in Havana, Cuba on June 21, 1954 to loving parents Carmen Eugenia (Gonzalez Arbona) Garcia-Rivera and Sergio Lucio Garcia-Rivera, he and his family fled the Castro regime in 1961, coming to Boston and ultimately finding their new home in Natick.

A passionate electrical engineer, just like his father, he attended both Northeastern University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He was incredibly proud of his design work for IMLAC Corporation, Data Translations, Alloy Electronics and Phoenix Technologies.

He founded Custom Computer Systems in 1988 with over 30 years of success. His designs for the C1000 and GeminIDE cards were some of the first modern disk drive controllers, a technology he perfected which has since been proven and in its modern form(s) touches all of our lives in the digital age.

An avid musician, animal lover, Italophile, scientist and mathematician, he had no shortage of interests and hobbies to share with the world and keep his mind young. He held the Italian language closest to his heart, however, he was also fluent in his native Spanish, English and Latin.

His absolute favorite way to enjoy life was taking cruises with his family, especially to Bermuda once he discovered its natural beauty. He was happiest when at sea, eating seafood and enjoying the pure air. When on land, he had a voracious appetite for movies, comedy and high-fidelity audio. Among many others, he joins his brother Sergio, beloved bird Chubby Checkers, clownfish Patrizio and his dearest cat-grandson Yogi in the afterlife.

He leaves his loving wife of 37 years, Paula, his son Christopher and his wife Tara, grandson Max Anthony, brother Andy and his wife Pam, his dear cousin Ricardo Garcia-Rivera (considered to be his “youngest brother”) and his wife Lilian, countless more cousins, friends and relatives. His impact on our lives has been as immeasurable as the space he leaves behind.

Burial arrangements will be private, to avoid risk of COVID and to potentially spare others the pain we suffer.

A celebration of his life will be held in June when permissible.

In lieu of flowers, Raul’s family requests donations to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in his name and to please consider giving a rescue animal a forever home.