Manuel Gonzalez

Manny Gonzalez passed away on Tuesday, June 12, after an 11 year battle with lung and heart disease. Dubbed “the miracle man” by anyone who knew his miraculous recoveries from the brink of death, Manny courageously and cheerfully battled his illness to the very end. Manny was born the 4th of seven children, to Rafael and Marguerita Gonzalez in lower Manhattan on November 2, 1938. At age 18 he entered a Trappist monastery in Conyers, GA, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Upon his return to New York City, seven years later, he got a job in lower Manhattan where he met his wife of almost 49 years, Marie Kennedy. Marie and Manny raised 5 children (Fergus, Nuala, Margaret, Sheila and Eugene) in their Upper East Side, Yorkville apartment. With countless visitors and five children in school, Manny spent the next phase of his life working hard, often at two jobs, to make sure his children were well educated both academically and spiritually. This was a point of great pride for Manny and Marie as they attended the graduations of their children from excellent Catholic grammar schools, high schools and colleges. In 1982 Manny and Marie endured the loss of Fergus, their first born son, who died tragically at 17. In the last few years, though his health was in decline, Manny took great joy in his 11 grandchildren and all members of his extended family. He will be missed by his adopted Irish family, his neighbors, his friends, his family and most of all by his wife, Marie, whom he praised and loved every day of his life.

Wake: Chas Peter Nagel Funeral Directors

352 East 87th Street, Tel: 212-289-2221

Times: Friday, June 15th 2-5pm and 7-9pm

Saturday, June 16th 2-5pm and 7-9pm

Funeral Mass: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church

230 East 90th Street

Time: Monday, June 18th at 10am