Manuel Jose Cobo

Manuel Jose Cobo, 75, passed away following a heart attack/stroke on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Duke University Hospital. Born in Cali, Colombia on April 15, 1944; he was the son of the late Manuel J. Cobo and Irma Guerrero Cobo. Manuel has always been devoted to his family. As a young child Manuel would wake up at 4am daily to help his mom carry bulks of produce for their business. An honor student throughout his academic years Manuel Cobo graduated from Lumen Institute in Cali Colombia with an associate degree in accounting. In his early years Manuel raced bikes with a dream of becoming professional bike racer until the day he witnessed a tragic accident and decided it was something he could not pursue further. An avid soccer fan Manuel followed his boyhood city club, Deprotive Cali, as well Barcelona Futbol Club, the Colombian national team and his adopted home national team, the US National soccer team. Manuel’s greatest passion outside of his family was his love for music, especially Salsa. His passion for salsa has touched the lives of so many people around the world, especially those of his two sons, Milton and James. DJ’s, performers, and social dancers have been inspired by the collection of music Manuel accumulated for over 50 years. Manuel married Luz in Feb 20, 1971 and with only a small suit case of clothes they moved to the US, in March of 1971 in hopes of finding a better life for their future family. For the first year of their stay in the US Manuel worked up to 3 shifts a day in order to maintain his family. After their son’s birth, he and the family moved to Elizabeth New Jersey. Shortly after their move to Elizabeth, Manuel started working at Interbake Foods, where he would work until he retired 35 years later. For most of those 35 years, Manuel worked double shift hours in order to support his family. No act of Manuel’s devotion to his family was more evident than his unwavering support of his Wife, Luz, during her more than 10-year battle with mental illness. At its worst this illness clawed at the family’s heart, but Manuel stood firm that his family would stay united. Throughout his life Manuel’s goal in life was that he would protect his family at all cost and his only wish was that his son’s look after their mother when he is whenever his time had come. He is survived by his wife: Luz Mery Cobo, of Raleigh; by his sons: Milton Cobo, of Raleigh and James Cobo and wife Peiwei, of Durham; by his brother: Alvaro Cobo; sister: Alfa Cobo; and by other family and friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 11:00 am until 12 Noon at Mitchell Funeral Home, with Liturgy of the Word and Sharing of Memories to begin at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel. Following a “Last Dance” in Manuel’s Honor, a Graveside Service will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park. Family will receive friends afterwards at a reception held back at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to assist with funeral expenses may be given directly to Mrs. Luz Cobo and Family through Milton’s PayPal account at [email protected]