Friends from every chapter of Orlando Rivas’ life gathered at Finn McCool’s Irish Sports Pub in Wheeling on Tuesday to pay tribute to a man who loved his fellow man and gave his life in service to others.
Rivas, a Buffalo Grove High School security guard, died April 24. Three days before, a car leaving the school parking lot left the roadway and struck a pole. Rivas, 52, of Buffalo Grove, reacted instantly, pushing students out of danger and putting himself in harm’s way as the utility pole fell, striking him.
Buffalo Grove neighbors, Buffalo Grove High School students and members of the Chicago White Sox showed up to honor Rivas.
They included his father, Roy Rivas, the chef for the White Sox from 1976 to 2018. Orlando also worked for the ballclub in various capacities.
Roy Rivas found it difficult to hold back tears as Orlando’s wife Erin placed her hand on his.
“He was a beautiful boy,” Roy Rivas said, remembering the pleasure his son took in simple things.
Orlando’s brother, Roy Rivas Jr., remembered Orlando as not just his brother, but his best friend.
Another member of the White Sox family, former Sox outfielder Ron Kittle, recalled when Roy introduced him to a 5-year-old Orlando.
“They gave him a little 18-inch bat, one of those wooden ones. Thank God I was prepared in uniform mode with a cup. He hit me right in the groin with it.”
Kittle co-hosted the event with radio personality David Kaplan.
Friends shared memories of the special relationship he had with the high school students.
“The place where a lot of adults run from would be the high school cafeteria. That was his playground,” Buffalo Grove High School Principal Jeff Wardle remembered. “He would find something about every kid, and he made it special between the two of them.”
“He wasn’t just a security guard. He was a friend to all of us at Buffalo Grove High School,” said senior Ezekiel Mason, who first met Rivas when he was in eighth grade.
Longtime friends attended, including David and Lynn Wennerlyn, who attended Orlando and Erin’s wedding.
Buffalo Grove neighbors were also there. Kevin Keller remembered how Orlando and he would shovel snow for their block.
Erin Rivas described the outpouring of love as overwhelming in the best way possible.
“We’re so sad,” Erin Rivas said. “We miss Orlando so much. But then we feel so much love from just everybody.”
Rivas’ father was struck by how his son gave his life to save others.
“When people see danger, they run away,” Roy Rivas said. “He put his life (on the line) for strangers. Not many people would do that.”
