Rev. Raul Mercado Rivera

Reverend Raul Mercado Rivera, 78, of East Haven, CT went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 6, 2025. He was the beloved husband of forty eight years to Justina (Escobar Falú) Mercado. Rev. Mercado was born in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico on October 30, 1947, a son of the late Victor Mercado and the late Isaura Rivera, and resided between Rio Grande and New Haven for most of his life before moving to East Haven eight years ago. He had also lived in New London, CT for ten years.

Rev. Mercado was an ordained minister and missionary with Assemblies of God, and traveled the world preaching the Gospel, serving and helping others. He loved to sing old church hymns and listen to Christian salsa music. Rev. Mercado was a proud Vietnam Army Veteran, and Purple Heart recipient. He loved to spend time with family, especially his grandchildren, making jokes and making those around him laugh. He enjoyed gardening, reading, watching old school cowboy and war movies, and was a coffee, tea and bread lover.

In addition to his wife Justina, Rev. Mercado is survived by his daughter, Gloree (Rev. Reynaldo Pérez) Mercado of Waterbury, two step-daughters, Maria (José Medina) Rosario of Canovas, PR, and Maribel (Samuel) Márquez Rosario of New Haven, a step-son, Enrique L. Rosario of East Haven, one sister, Carmen Mercado of Groton, six grandchildren, Katya K. Pérez Mercado, José A. Medina, Karime Rosario, Omar Medina, Ryan J. Pérez and Axel Rosario, two nieces, Lissette Mercado and Yalitza Ashton, four nephews, Edgar Pérez, Héctor Mercado, Victor Mercado, Jr. and Christian Pérez, and many loving cousins and friends. He was predeceased by a step-son, Antonio Rosario and two brothers, Victor and Héctor Mercado.

Rev. Mercado's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, December 14th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. A funeral service will take place during visitation time. A short prayer service will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 15th followed by burial with Military Honors in the State Veterans' Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. washingtonmemorialfh.com

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