Pedro "Pete" Juan Ayala Rivera

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Pedro (Pete) Juan Ayala Rivera, husband, father, and veteran, aged eighty-five, passed away on February 17, 2025, at his Santa Fe home, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Pete is survived, and missed dearly, by his loving wife of 37 years, Theresa, and children Carlos, Alisha, Ken, and Lisa (and son-in-law, Cassidy).

Even in our sorrow, we celebrate Pete’s remarkable life. The beloved son of the late Juana Rivera Gonzalez and Roque Ayala Mulero, Pedro, nicknamed “PiJuan,” was born on May 4, 1939, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pete’s family was important to him and throughout his life he remained close with his sisters, Julia Rodríguez and Carmen Ayala; his brother, Andrés Rodríguez Rivera, and his nephews and nieces, whom he loved.Pete was an exceptional man, growing up in a particularly challenging environment with few opportunities for success. In 1957, after graduating from Dr. Augustín Stahl High School in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Pete joined the United States Air Force. An especially driven man, he moved up the ranks, breaking barriers, while building credibility and respect within the Air Force. After 25 years, Pete retired at the top enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. This rank reserved by federal law for the top 1% of the enlisted force. He received the Bronze Star for his valiant service in the Vietnam war; the meritorious service medal (twice), and Airmen of the Year award. These were among the many awards he received.

Pete believed that if you worked hard enough and received an education, you could improve your life. As Spanish was his first language, he relentlessly studied the dictionary and encyclopedias to learn and master the English language, recognizing this was key to counter racism, advance his knowledge, and his career. Character and excellence were core to who Pete was. While in the Air Force, he studied at night and weekends to complete his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Procurement and Acquisition Management.

His passion for learning, curiosity, and education was a part of him throughout his life and instilled in his children. He did his best. His now well-spoken children were grateful, appreciative, and at times frustrated at his annoying corrections of grammar and suggested editing of “extraneous” information. Pete would have marked this tribute in “red” with all that he thought should be removed or could be said better.

He was “a force of nature” who continued to have several successful careers as a consummate deal maker; negotiating significant contracts with the government, companies, and countries. Throughout his negotiations and life, his humor and sense of fairness allowed those on the other side of the table to respect him, his education, and experience.

It was in one of these organizations that he met Theresa, the love of his life. When Pete was sixty-five, Theresa’s brother passed away and they became overnight parents, adopting two of her brother’s children, a boy and a girl, 18 months old and 5 years old at the time. “He sacrificed so much when he adopted us. He could have had a relaxing, peaceful 20+ years but chose the hard path.” – Carlos Ayala

He was an amazing father to all four of his children; providing them with an education, a stable home environment, security, direction, and all the love he could give. We will miss small irritating behaviors like chewing loudly or when he would get angry at trivial things, being slightly impatient. We cherish those things, along with everything that was good, and there was so much good. He prepared his children for life and taught financial skills, how to speak and carry themselves in a proper manner, work ethic, and the importance of having an excellent job and being self-sufficient. He was our mentor and sanctuary when needed. 

His children were his pride and greatest joy, along with his wife. He loved to travel, and we created cherished memories while enjoying trips as a family (even when the children became adults), visiting the Caribbean, Europe, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, California, and other states. He volunteered as a coach for baseball and softball, as an assistant teacher in many a classroom, and even served as a Girl Scouts leader, and he never missed an activity.

Pete was a role model to many outside of our family. He never forgot who he was and where he came from - instilling compassion and lending a hand up. Whether it was mentoring, leading, or paying others a fair wage around his home, he treated everyone with respect and dignity, often sitting down to share his home-cooked meals with them.

He loved life and fishing. Although he may not have always had good luck fishing, he tried his best, often managing multiple fishing rods at once. He was a talented wood turner, and his works of art are everywhere in his home. He enjoyed nature and especially time spent with friends and family.

As he grew in his faith, his wisdom and compassion multiplied; allowing him to inspire and share God’s wisdom with others. He battled cancer for more than a decade, quietly managing incredible pain with strength and courage.

For all he was, he was rewarded with the love and respect of his children, who loved him unconditionally, and a wife who adored him and who was with him until his last breath.

The family wishes to thank Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, MD, and Ahmed Kaseb, MD, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as Shelby Bennett, MD, X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, Andrea Teague, MD, Christus St. Vincent, and all the other doctors and nurses who cared for our beloved husband and father over his long cancer battle. Special thanks to Isaac Romero, honorary son of our Pete, for all your support.