Mr. Victor Manuel Rios

Mr. Victor Manuel Rios, age 60, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Born in Rome, New York on September 15, 1954, Victor was the son of Isabelle Nava Rios and the late Fausto Rios. Raised and educated locally, Victor attended Utica Free Academy but left after his junior year to join the United States Army. As a proud veteran, he honorably served his country for 4 years, stationed in Japan. On June 28, 1986 he married the former Bonnie Finley with whom he shared ten years in a union that gifted them with a family. Bonnie passed away on December 2, 1996 in North Carolina. For over twelve years, Victor has shared in a blessed union with his life companion, Patricia Hoag. A professional baker and cook by trade, Victor was employed locally at the Star Bakery’s Utica location, and prior to that, he worked for various restaurants in the North Carolina area. A peace-maker by nature, Victor was a man who lived in harmony and was on good terms with everyone. He used his unique humor as a way of keeping everyone together, and laughter was the medicine he provided. He understood the value of friendship and the love of family. Belonging to a large family, he was surrounded with lots of love and a tight-knit closeness with all. When springtime rolled around, Victor’s love for fishing awakened and he would seek out any friend or family member to accompany him on each of his fishing trips. He shared a special bond and many happy times with his brother, Fausto, and when Fausto drove in drag races, Victor served as his best fan and his pit crew! Victor is survived by his life companion, Patricia “Pat” Hoag; his mother, Isabelle Nava Rios; his daughters, Mia Ramos, and Marie Finley, both of Utica; his sons, Timothy Rios of Newport, and Victor Rios, Jr.; his many grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Emelia “Mia” and Jose “Guelo” Santiago, and Christina “Tina” and Israel Santiago, all of Utica; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Fausto and Susan Rioscolon, and Bernardo Rios, all of Utica, Luis and Kathy Rios of Florida, and Felix Rios, and Angel Miguel Rios and Mary Ann Fredrick, all of Utica; his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and many in-laws from the Finley, Hoag, and Rios families. The family will honor and commemorate Victor’s life in a Memorial Gathering which will be held at the St. Luke’s Home on 1650 Champlin Ave, Utica, N.Y. (directly across from St. Luke’s Hospital ER entrance) on Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 3 pm until. The family will receive visitors at that time. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Mr. Victor Manuel Rios

September 15, 1954 - November 28, 2014