Manuel Pina Flethez

Manuel was born on April 1, 1926 in Coloctitlan, Jalisco, Mexico, to Maria de Jesus Pina and Fransico Flethez. He had an elder brother Jose two younger brothers Juanito and Raphael and his only sister Guadalupe. They lived in a Ranch Community along with his maternal grandparents Rosita Bedolla and Jose Gomez. In this Ranch Community also lived his uncles Juan Pina, Rafael Pina Leopoldo Pina, Merced Pina, Rosita Pina and Chepa Pina along with there spouses and many children. It was a large hard working Farming and Ranching Community.

Manuels father Fransico was self taught in music, art, mathematics. etc. He used to keep count and track of the produce and cattle. He was the land owner’s book keeper as well. People would come from all around to have him make drawings, tune instruments, make ropes etc. Fransico was very talented as were his sons Jose, Manuel and Juanito Rafael was a toddler and Lupita was a baby in arms. They were a happy family.

When Manuel was nine there was a horrific incident in which his father Fransico his brothers Jose and Juanito were ambushed and killed. At that point Manuel became the man of the family and responsible for helping support his mother, his younger brother Rafael and sister Guadalupita. From that time on his Tio Juan became his father figure teaching him to work the land and tend to cattle.

Manuel was a good student He used to say learning was easy for some but he had to really study hard to learn (once learned it was not forgotten as he proved to us growing up). At the age of 13 he was sent to the Seminary his mother and grandmother wanted him to be a priest- he did well in all his studies but after a few years it became apparent to him that he was not going to be a priest and spoke to his religious counselor and later explained to his mom Maria de Jesus and his grandmother Rosita.Manuel then joined the military instead of one of his cousins whose father did not want him to go. Manuel had many friends which were all related in one form or another. His cousin Salvador joined with him so they were in the Mexican Armed Forces. He held post as a soldier and then was promoted until he ended up as Captain that is when his time in the military was up.

Manuel enjoyed riding and being Charro was one of his favorite times. He would go to different towns for fiestas and Charro on his time off from working. He worked the lasso rode bareback broke horses, did all kind of forms and tricks charros did. He was a very handsome young man and had many female friends. He finally moved to Guadalajara Jalisco where he began working for Manuel Valtierra who had a large filming crew, He was also the director and producer of movies. Manuel made several charros movies and other kinds during this time he met the granddaughter of Mr. Valtierra , Antonia Duran she was a young beautiful film editor and helped her grand father in the business. They became friends with in a few days Manuel knew she was the one. He asked his Tio Juan to stand with him to go and ask for her hand in marriage as was the custom. When Mr. Valtierra was approached he was angry he said it was to short a time of Antonia knowing Manuel so he set a time limit and sent my mother back to California to be with her parents Micaela and Porfiro Duran once she was here her mother Micaela informed her she was not going to marry Manuel Flethez. Antonia then spoke to her father who gave her permission to marry Manuel if she truly loved him and he loved her. Antonia then sent Manuel Flethez a telegram requesting funds to return to Mexico. Manuel immediately wired her the money and she returned, she lived with Maria de Jesus until they were married at Concha Catholic Church Guadalajara on June 5, 1949. They then went to the ranch where the family had prepared a huge fiesta for Manuel and Antonia Flethez. Manuel and Antonia had 10 children 4 of which died. They had 6 children oldest Rosa Maria Leticia Flethez, then Manuel Flethez Jr. followed by Emma Antonia, Anna Elizabeth, Susan Marie and Frank Manuel Flethez.

Manuel worked as an engineer for Tractor es y Equipos Internacional, after the death of Manuel Jr. they were transferred to Colima where Emma and Anna were born. At this time they decided to move to California. We stayed with Antonia's parents until he was able to afford to get their own house. It was a big difference here in California he picked oranges, and did odd jobs anything to feed and care for his family. He was able to save enough money to join the Hod Carriers Labors Union 783 which at this time he moved his growing family to their own house. Manuel worked very hard to support his family as a labor one of the first things they had him do was place dynamite to break up the rocks and mountains’ - a job which no one wanted. He didn’t know the dangers he went in and did what was needed. Manuel worked with several different companies in the course of his working for the Hod Carriers Union.

Manuel’s children married and later had children of their own. Manuel retired at the age of 55 after 29 years with the Hod Carriers Labor Union 783. At this point he was beginning to have a lot of problems with his knees due to the type of work he did Blaster, Laborer, Pipe layer, Lead man and finally General Foreman. He maid several friends in the course of his work Rios and Amelia Rios, Ricardo and Gail Rodriguez, Amado, Leo, Emma Maquinales family of brothers and sisters, Cruz and Alicia Macias, Jose and Margart Cedeno, Paul and Erlinda Betancourt Tony and Noni Jimenez, Chila and Tony Sanchez Uncle Jack and grandma Monarich, and so many others it would take pages to name all of them, all bringing wonderful memories to his family.

Once retired he used to enjoy gardening, tending his fruit trees and visiting his grandchildren Jennifer, Augustine Jr., Melissa, Frankie, Michael L, Michael H., Christina, Jasmine, Joe and Ray his grandchildren increased when Irene, Sara, Mauricio, Sergio became a part of our family. It was wonderful watching them all grow up. Manuel had a close knit family along with Antoinas siblings Manuel, Lupe, Jose, Selvestre, Sally, Ruben Carmen, Micaela with their spouses and children. He tried to go to Guadalajara Jal. Mexico at least once a year to visit his mother Maria de Jesus, brother Rafael, Lety, Paty, Freddie, Johnny LeBrac his godson. His sister Guadalupe husband Antonio and Coco, Antonia, Pancho, Patricia, Juanito, Lupita, Luis and Jorge his godson, his family Tio Juan and Chuy and Rafael Eduviges, Leopoldo and Chayo, Merced Maria, Maria he tried to visit all his relatives and old friends Salvador, Pilar, Santosand Ramon cousins Chema. Maya, Rafael, Nicha, Pancho, Jaunito, Carmen y todos los demas que son muchos pero ellas sabenquien son.

In January 16, 1999 Manuel lost the love of his life Antonia Flethez. Later that year he started developing different symptoms in his breath - he really missed his wife. In November 2000 Manuel had a quadruple bypass and needed additional care to tend to the wounds his daughters Anna, Rose and Susie came to help tend him later that month he moved to live with his daughter Anna and Augestine Mota son in law, here he continued to live for the past ten + years. He fought several battles with his illnesses and always bounced back thanks be to God. This time God needed him more he fought a courages battle against his congestive heart failure, renal failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure. During this time Manuel grew very close to Auggie on days when Auggie was off work he would get up have his coffee and reminisce with Auggie about the good and bad things of life until Anna got up. After breakfast he would set at the head of the table and talk about when he was a boy, a young man, and as an adult. Manuel lived a long life there was both joy and pain but for all that he was a great man, a good friend, listener, adviser, to all his children, family friends all were always welcome in his home "Entren a mi case que tambien es suya - Vengan a la mesa Para comer," This was well known that no matter what time or day you came around he was ready to offer his hospitality to all. He enjoyed taking long drives to the beach, the mountains, or just drive where the car would lead us. Manuel Pina Flethez was the greatest father, grandfather, great grandfather who will be greatly missed.

A new journey has begun and has taken him to a better place our love is with you dad, Grandpa, Papa, and say hi to mom we will see you soon. God bless you; hold you in the palm of his hand. We all love you very much.

By; Anna Flethez Mota