Manuel J. Reis

Sparta- Manuel J. Reis went home to the Lord on Sunday, July 12, 2015 in Newton, NJ with his loving wife by his side. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., on November 17, 1926 and relocated to Portugal at the age of six months. He grew up near Aveiro, Portugal and attended the seminary school at Santa Jeana in Aveiro. He moved back to the U.S. at the age of 17 and settled in Newark, NJ. One year later, Manuel was drafted into the US Navy and was stationed on the U.S.S. Jejune, a troop transport ship, until he was discharged in 1946. He began working in a foundry while completing academic courses at Central Evening High School in Newark, where he graduated in 1949. Over the next decade, Manuel combined 40 hours of weekly work at construction sites, and also Western Electric, while taking night classes at Seton Hall University.

He was proud to graduate with Seton Hall’s centennial class of 1956, with a major in Spanish, and minors in French and English. He was fluent in five languages. He completed his Masters of Arts from Rutgers University in 1964, and began his teaching career when Sparta High School opened in 1959, retiring in 1988. He was also a professor at Rutgers University’s Newark campus for 12 years. Manny played soccer with Sport Club Portuguese from 1948-1954. He was the first soccer coach at Sparta High School in 1960, and coached for 20 years amassing a career record of 194 wins, 72 losses, and 20 ties. He was passionate about his soccer and continued to be Sparta High School’s biggest fan, attending as many games as possible. As passionate as he was about soccer, He was more passionate about his family. Manny was inducted into the New Jersey Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 1997. In 1999, he was inducted into the Sussex County Hall of Fame. Manuel was the first president of the (LISA), Luso International Soccer Association from 1979-1980, Sparta Kiwanis president from 1987-88, and a founding member of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha RC Church in Sparta.

Pre-deceasing him is a granddaughter; Aurora Danielle Mattie, and a sister; Angelina Corsaro. Manny is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years; Aurora G. Reis. Three loving daughters; Maria-Elena Kitchell (Gary) of Vero Beach, Fl., Michelle Kretschmer of Hardyston, NJ, and Aurora Mattie (Daniel) of Marlton, NJ. Seven Grandchildren; Ryan, Collin and Denton Kitchell, Kyle, Shawn, and Kayla Kretschmer, and Corrie Mattie. Sister; Anna Cruz, and brother; Felizaro Reis. Family and friends are invited Thursday 2~4 7~9 pm to Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871. A 11:30 am Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday from Saint Kateri Tekakwitha RC Church 497 Stanhope Rd Sparta, NJ, followed by interment in Sparta Cemetery.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations made be to :

Sparta Kiwanis

P.O. Box 173

Sparta, NJ 07871

www.goblefuneral.com