Ivan Abad Arcaya, Sr., "Papo", was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on Monday,
September 1, 1952 and died in Vineland, NJ on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 63 years of
age. He is predeceased by his mother Carmen Maria Padilla and father Rafael Cebollero
of Camden, NJ. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Marisol Alexis Arcaya, and son,
Ivan Abad Arcaya, Jr. He is mourned by his sisters: Carmen "Milu" and Joey Watson,
Marie and Harry Cebollero, Milagros "Millie" and Juan "Rodfather" Cebollero, Josephine
"Josie / Baby Sis" and Joe Johnson and by his brothers: Rafael "Jr." and Vicki
Cebollero, Albert "Bert" and Suzanne Cebollero, and Julio "Roche / Mater-Eater Lad"
and Ari Cebollero. He is also mourned by his children's mother's family: Alicia amd
Jesus, Nancy and Eladio "Eli" Afanador, Elviro, Jr., Merrari Bermudez, Katy Ocasio, and
Nelson and Susan Ocasio.

He attended Camden Catholic, Camden High School (1970, Deans List recipient),
Rutgers University (Law) and Glassboro State College (Rowan University) and holds a
B.A. (1974) and M.A. (1976), and received certificates from the Assistive Technology
Advocacy Center of NJP&A, Inc., Rutgers University's International Association of
Campus Law Enforcement Administrations (Cultural Conflict, 1989), State University of
New York – Buffalo (Job Development (2004), Information Technology (2002), etc…),
College of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Assistive Technology, Inclusive Education
(1990), Mental Retardation (1980)). He was a Sr. Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation
Counselor 2 for almost 30 years with the Dept. of Labor (DVR) in Vineland and Camden,
NJ. Preceding this employment, he worked at Camden Regional Legal Services, CASA
P.R.A.C., and Farmworkers Corp; paralegal, and VISTA.

As a Renaissance man, he loved a diverse array of literature, music, history, and
politics; both a man of his time and ahead of his time – a visionary. His voracious appetite
for the written word was inspired by his mother introducing him to great literary authors
through Classics Illustrated as a child. Influenced by his father's and his Titi Ramona
Gonzalez's pursuit of empowerment and equality for the Latino community, he became a
leader and champion of the Civil Rights movement, advocating for the right of everyone to
live long and prosper irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, social/financial status, or
physical ability. This was illustrative in his articles in the Vineland Daily Journal, The
Courier Post, and The Press of Atlantic City. His views on government, civil rights, and
politics expressed in these articles are still topical today.

His articles addressed cultural: "Puerto Ricans: Born Americans" and "Puerto
Ricans can move Ahead"; social: "After 1972 Camden Riot, Middle Class left City",
"County College takes Lead to Combat Racism", and "Chicago Offers Lesson for
Hispanics"; financial: "Poverty Cuts Across Ethnic Lines", "Poverty Blocks Good Health
Services", and "Tax Gift for U.S."; and political issues: "Hispanics faced with Lack of
Political Clout", "For a Better World", "The Year of Human Rights in Cumberland
County College", "We the People", and "My View on Tax Reform" written as a Parody on
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Many if not all of these issues are still debated in
today's forums; e.g. The current Presidential election.

He believed in the power of the people, grassroots organizations, and working with
both sides to reach a productive consensus that would achieve successful implementation.
He worked with Ralph Nader, former NJ State Senator Frank Lautenberg, and former NJ
Governor James J. Florio among others to achieve these goals throughout the years. In
1984, he ran for City Council (Vineland, NJ) on the "Cooperation for Progress" ticket
(1983) in the belief that people would see beyond the hypocrisy of politics and politicians.
That they, the constituency, would elect professional officials that would cross party lines
to serve the needs of their community. In this vein, he presented to a diverse array of
forums: Rowan's Hispanic Heritage Month (1994), Cumberland County College's Career
Fair (1982), SOAR (Seeking Out Alternative Resources) IV Conference (1990), 3rd
Annual Hispanic retention Conference (1991), Integrating Hispanic Voices into the
Academic Canon (1990), Martin Luther King Academy for Youth and Community
Outreach Center; Minority Male Conference (1991), State of NJ Special Education
Coordinator's Meeting, Vineland Vocational Education/Special Education Project
(1983), Program for Spanish speaking senior citizens (1990), attended a Symposium on
Hispanics and Correction by the Office of Hispanic Services (NJ Dept. of Corrections),
supported the Community College Political Action Committee (1990), and endorsed a
Latino mentoring program (1995), etc.. to impart knowledge to his community's
constituency in the hopes of contributing to their empowerment in society.

He served on various Board of Directors/Trustees: Big Brothers / Big Sisters,
Cumberland County College (1986-1992), Family Planning Services of Cumberland and
Gloucester Counties (…1985), First District Legislative Advisory Council (…1991), and
Vineland Developmental Center (1987-1989). In addition, he was a member/officer of
various Civic and Entrepreneurial organizations: Acción Social de Puertorriqueña
(Festival 1987), Bridgeton's Lions Club (1986), Casa P.R.A.C., Inc., Chamber of
Commerce (1995-), Communication Workers of America (…1987…), Congress of NJ
Employment Labor Task Force, Continuing Education Council of Cumberland County,
Cumberland County College's Educational Opportunity Fund Program Advisory
Committee (1986-1991), Cumberland County Democratic Executive Committee,
Cumberland County's Human Services Coalition Advisory Council (1985-1988), Hispanic
American Economic Development Committee (President, …1987…), Hispanic
Association for Higher Education, Hispanic American Political Action Committee,
Hispanic Business and Professional Association of South Jersey, Inc., Kawanis Club of
Vineland (1981-), Minority Recruitment and Retention (Chairman), NJ Hispanic
Democrats, Private Industry Council (1988-), Public Responsibility for Education Success
and Project P.R.I.D.E, Puerto Rican Students in Action (Founding member, Valuable
Service Award (1981), Hall of Fame recipient 1983), South Jersey Economic Development
District, Inc. (1988-), Southern NJ Council of Boy Scouts of America (…1986-1987…),
Special Education Advisory Committee, United Spinal Association (Charter member),
United Way of Greater Cumberland County (…1987…), Vineland Civil Rights
Commission (1988-1991), and Vineland Education Foundation (-1991).

In 1987, he was able to garner the support of Louis N. Magazzu (Attorney), Frank
A. Lo Biondo (Freeholder), Si Solazzo (City Council), William J. Hughes (House of
Representatives), and Ronald A. Ortiz (Times Graphics, Inc.) to promote and incorporate
cultural - music, religion, and history - and intellectual inquiry - in the fields of
employment, technology, media, as well as private and public financial and community
institutions - into the Puerto Rican festival's program thus providing a forum for the mind,
body, and spirit. He was honored/awarded: the American Folklife Center at the Library
of Congress (Contributor), Cumberland County College's Latin American Outstanding
Achievement Award (1988), Glassboro State College's (University Year in Action –
Valuable Service Award (1974), Outstanding Alumnus of the Year (1990)), Outstanding
Young Men of America (1984, 1987), and Who's Who in NJ (1984, 1991).

As an ardent football fan before the AFL (American Football League) and NFL
(National Football League) merged, his love of Nordic history translated into his
passionate regard for the Oakland Raiders (AFL) and the Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
despite the Vikings' inability to win a Super Bowl. His early childhood's introduction to
the classics via the comic book medium instilled within him an appreciation of the
intellectual, artistic, and imaginative world that inhabits its realm. At its best, its
incorporation of provocative narrative, adventure, imagination, heroism, and duality
leaves the reader with thought provoking questions and the impetus to find the answers.
His love of astrophysics led him to appreciate NASA, the cosmos, and its various media
incarnations; Dr. Who, Star Trek, BSG, etc... His exposure to various forms of music
(Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Itzhak Perlman, Patsy Cline,
Charles Daniels Band, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Eagles, Eric Clapton, BB
King, Nat King Cole, Supremes, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Cohen, Celia
Cruz, Hector La Voe, Willie Colon, etc…) left him with an eclectic music palette. He was
a unique soul that has left an indelible imprint on our hearts and will live forever in our
memories.

The viewing will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the
Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, 1024 E. Landis Ave. Vineland. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be sent to the Funeral Home.