Manuel Levario

Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. Manuel Levario was no exception. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Manuel will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Manuel’s life journey began on September 3, 1928. He first greeted the world at home in Los Angeles, California. His parents' names were Juan and Julia Levario. Julia died when Manuel was young and he was raised by Aunt Maria Levario who he called mother. He grew up in Los Angeles and El Paso, Texas for a few years. Growing up for Manuel was an involving experience. It allowed him to learn and grow and create all kinds of memories.

A lot of what shaped Manuel’s life was how he was raised. He was raised with eight siblings. Manuel had one older sister, Lucy, four younger brothers, Chito, Kinka, Mondy and Andy and three younger sisters, Betty, Stella and Gloria. Manuel was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced the typical rivalries of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young boy, Manuel had a number of interests. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it.

In school, Manuel learned many things and made many friends. Manuel managed to accomplish many things as a child, both in and out of the classroom. Manuel had a paper route as a child. However, to Manuel, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends. Manuel also went on some family trips occasionally during his childhood. In all, Manuel grew up surrounded by family and friends who cared about him very much.

Falling in love is a huge milestone for any person. Just knowing that you have met that special someone is a magical feeling. Manuel experienced that with Adelia Hernandez.

After the wedding, the couple enjoyed their first few days together as husband and wife during their honeymoon.

Empathic and loyal, Manuel was committed to making his new family happy. It is true that during those early years the couple lived modestly, but they were happy nonetheless.

It can be said that you can tell a lot about a person by their friends. So it's little wonder that he took an active role in his neighborhood and community.

While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Manuel worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Manuel was blessed with three children, Margaret, Richard and John. He worked hard toward raising his children in a positive and nurturing environment.

Manuel enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. He loved traveling to Ensenada, Mexico for surfing. Manuel did a lot of camping with his children in the mountains and at the beach. He surfed along with his children and even made his own surfboards. They went to the beach almost every Sunday.

Later on, Manuel was blessed with the gift of three grandchildren, Aaron, Sara and Dakota and six great-grandchildren Anthony, Chloe, Brianna, Matthew, Lena and Carmen Adelia.

How a person performs in the workplace can be a reflection on how they live their life. Fortunately, Manuel enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Manuel worked diligently and did his best to succeed in each of his jobs. While he worked several jobs over his life, Manuel’s primary occupation was working as a truck driver. Manuel worked for 25+ years for American Can Co.

Though Manuel didn’t work for accolades, he was recognized for a job well done.

Manuel always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Manuel was an Army veteran. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

A person's hobbies often mirror who they have become. Manuel enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in a number of different activities, including surfing, carpentry, gardening, model planes, cars etc. Kits, liked to read. He was usually willing to share his interests with others. Manuel was a very innovative carpenter, making and designing furniture and things from wood. He should have been an architect!

Manuel enjoyed sports and athletics. His favorite things to do were surfing and swimming. Tops on his list for watching were baseball.

A person’s faith says a great deal about them. Some people are raised with strong beliefs while others garner them throughout their life. Manuel’s faith was important to him. Became a believer in Jesus Christ 2 weeks before he died John 3:16, Eph 2:8,9.

Even in retirement, Manuel continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new ones. During these golden years, Manuel also had other, smaller friends, including Viking, a German Shepherd dog and Herbie our turtle for over 40 years lives in our yard.

Manuel Levario left us on April 30, 2011. He passed away La Puente, California. He was 82 years old. He was preceded in death by son Richard. He is survived by his wife, Adelia, daughter Margaret, son John, grandchildren Aaron, Sara and Dakota, great-grandchildren Anthony, Chloe, Brianna, Matthew, Lena and Carmen Adelia. Services were handled by Custer Christiansen Mortuary.

So this is Manuel’s life, the sum of the man that he became. Simply stated, Manuel was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Manuel leaves behind him a legacy of lifelong friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life Manuel Levario touched will always remember him with a smile.