Will Manuel

Will Manuel was born on August 13, 1948 to Will & Charlotte Manuel in Brooklyn, New York. His early life was characterized by a love of music. During elementary school at P.S. 54 & P.S. 93, Will learned and excelled at playing the drums and bugle for the Boy Scouts. While at Nathaniel Macon Junior High 258, Will's musical life flourished. His musical instructor saw great potential and ambition in him and asked him to learn the baritone saxophone to take on a role in the school's Senior Band one year earlier than the age requirement, which he enthusiastically accepted. Quickly, he became proficient in the baritone saxophone and learned to play the trumpet and organ. Outside of school and band, Will enjoyed writing songs and singing. He founded a vocal quartet group with friends in which he continued to perform until early adulthood, being the last original member. Will's most beloved endeavor, however, was playing soprano horn in the Drum Corps. He began marching at an early age with The Privateers, then St. Rocco's Cadets, and finished his music career playing Solo Soprano for the New York Skyliners.

Despite spending hours a day practicing music, Will enjoyed being outdoors. Often, he could be found playing handball, making scooters and go carts, or sitting with friends, identifying passing cars by model and year. Will's fascination with cars led him to attend Brooklyn Automotive High School. Upon graduating, he worked as a mechanic for GM Cadillac. Even after leaving GM, Will continued working on his cars. He went on to work for NYS Department of Health, and after a short time, was promoted to regional manager.

In 1981, Will moved to Nassau County and worked at US General, Atlas West Hardware as receiving manager. There, in December of 1984, he met the love of his life, Lucie Elie. On February 2, 1985, they went on their first date and have been together every day thereafter. The two were married on December 21, 1986 and together raised six beautiful children (Kathleen, Noel, Charlise, Emil, Brielle & Brienne). While raising a family, Will went on to earn his Associate's Degree from Nassau Community College and Bachelor's Degree from York College. Prior to earning his Master's Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, he became a Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor. Through his education and work, Will found his calling in mentoring and saving lives and spent over twenty-five years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specialization in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health.

We mourn the death of Will Manuel, yet we find consolation and solace in the knowledge that he lives and breathes through us. Among the many attributes of Will's character, the ones that stand out are: devotion to family, honesty, loyalty, love, and his belief in God. Will faced death with courage and died with dignity in the arms of his family.

He leaves to mourn, his loving wife, Lucie; daughters, Kathleen, Charlise, Brielle, Brienne; sons Noel, Emil, Will IV (wife Maggie), Jerry, Shava; grandchildren, Ximena, Shaquet, Tyrell, Jerry Jr., Michael; sister, Pearl Simmons; father-in-law, Gerard Elie; brother-in-law, Jude Elie (wife Judith); sister-in-law Marie Lourdes Garcon; nieces, Anne Marie, Tanya, Cheri; nephews, Emmanuel, Jean-Robert Jr.; long-time friends, Diana Wright, Harold & Rhoda Mayfield, Mel & Shirley Armour, John & Sheila Chalmus, and a host of family and friends. Will will always live in our hearts and thoughts.