Damien Auriel Rivera was born Dec. 16, 2021, at 6:39 p.m. He came into this world as a blessing with the laborious love from his mother, Kayla Victoria Leshikar and the undying support from his father, Auriel Gomez Rivera.
Before Damien was born, he showed his parents that he had a fiery personality. Damien displayed that he was a baby ready for a fight. From then on, he faced many challenges for someone so small.
Damien fought for five short weeks and left peacefully in his parent’s arms Jan. 26, 2022. Though his time on Earth was short, he was surrounded by love. Not only from his devoted parents, but by his nurses and doctors working tirelessly to care for him. He also had an abundance of love from his family awaiting outside the hospital.
Damien enjoyed his parents reading and talking to him, and loved having his mother caress his soft head while he fell asleep.
He is survived by his mother and father, Kayla Leshikar and Auriel Rivera; grandparents, Willie and Yolanda Leshikar, Jose Auriel Rivera and Terri Gomez; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Damien stole the hearts of many in his short life. He will always have a place in the hearts of all who knew him.
Damien received over 170 blood products in his lifetime. In lieu of flowers please consider donating blood in his honor.
A visitation was held Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home.
