Arnaldo Rios Jr.

APOPKA, FL / SWANTON, VT - Arnaldo "Tito" Rios, Jr., age 67, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester.

He was born April 25, 1959 in Isabela, Puerto Rico to the late Arnaldo Sr. & Dolores Cordero Rios.

Tito left a lasting impression on those who knew him through his verve for life and his beautiful, gentle presence.

Tito received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico in 1981. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, until he returned to the base in Texas. He was later honorably discharged due to a knee injury. In 1992, he began working for USINS in Miami, Florida, as an immigration inspector. In 1994, he transferred to Toronto, Canada, to work pre-flight inspection for USINS. In 1998, he transferred to the Vermont Service Center, where he worked as an adjudicator with USCIS. After retiring in 2016, he eagerly embraced all that life had to offer.

Tito was a kind and patient man known to pursue his passions. A lover of music and audio technology, he collected state-of-the-art speakers and amplifiers. He was a self-anointed "audiophile." He enjoyed working with his hands, from building computers to woodworking. He was an avid reader of books and articles on spirituality, politics, and the stock market. He loved biking along the beautiful trails in Central Florida and spending evenings watching UFC fights with his friends.

Above all, Tito treasured his relationship with his daughter. She was his pride and joy. When Gabby was young, they bonded while playing video games together and renting movies every week from the local Showtime store. Tito was always supportive of Gabby's interests from swimming and dance lessons, to artistic endeavours like drawing and painting.

Tito had a playful sense of humour that brightened the days of those around him. Growing up, he enjoyed playing pranks and jokes on his siblings. During Gabby's childhood, they would cosplay as Frankenstein and a zombie at the Haunted Forest in St. Albans, for which he would handcraft elaborate sets. In addition to his stoic nature, he always made room for his whimsical and playful character to shine.

Every summer, he traveled to Gabby's town of Montreal, a city that quickly became his playground. Spontaneous by nature, Tito loved exploring on foot, his instincts leading him to discover the best of the local cultural offerings.

His favorite festivals were the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Piknic Électronik, where he could be found dancing, discovering new music, drinking tequila sodas, and making new friends. Tito and Gabby shared a love of live music, but also cherished their time sight-seeing around Montreal, attending museum exhibits, and exploring new restaurants, cafés, and bars.

During these annual visits, Tito made a tradition of treating Gabby to a special meal at Michelin-star restaurants, creating memories they would carry with them.

Tito will be remembered as a free spirit and an exemplary father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He is survived by his daughter, Gabriella Rios; siblings, Norma Rios, Lily Rios and her children Delvis Barreto and Angely Barreto, and Rolando Rios, his wife Elizabeth Bonilla Santiago and their son Rolando Rios Santiago Jr.; a dear friend and care giver, Karen Hango; and many friends and extended family members. Tito was predeceased by his parents, Arnaldo Sr. & Dolores Cordero Rios.

Friends & family are invited to Tito's life celebration on Saturday, November 14, 2026 to include visitation from 2-3:00 PM followed with a memorial service at 3:00 PM at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT. Please come prepared to share your favorite memory of Tito.

For those who wish, contributions in Tito's memory may be made to Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society, https://www.craigscause.ca

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com.