Manuel was born in Angamacutiro de la Unión, Michoacán, Mexico on February 13, 1923. At 17 Manuel came to the United States as part of the Bracero Program, working on the railroads during WWII before settling down in California.
It was in California that he met Trini while picking tomatoes. Even though they did not speak the same language, they each took the time to learn and fall in love. He married Trini on November 8, 1954, and together they built a life full of hard work, love, and laughter.
Manuel worked for 19 years at St. Agnes Hospital, starting in the laundry department finally retiring from carpentry. He took great pride in working with his hands, both at work and in his own garden, where he could often be found tending plants or tinkering with something that probably didn’t need to be fixed.
Manuel is survived by his devoted son Manuel J. Urrutia, his beloved daughter-in-law Alice Urrutia, and his sister Delfina Urrutia . He also leaves behind his four grandchildren - Lisa Rocha, Manuel J. Urrutia Jr., Elizabeth Murrietta, and Melissa Bethke - and five great-grandchildren - Ronald Rocha, Kaylee Urrutia, Nathan Murrietta, Royce Rocha and Noah Murrietta - who will forever cherish his stories, humor, and warmth.
He was a man of routine, never missing a day of playing the lotto, always with the same unlucky numbers. He firmly believed that scratchers were a scam, though he couldn’t resist them. His stubbornness and huge heart will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
After more than a century of living, Manuel can finally rest alongside his dear Trini, where we’re sure he’s already finding something to fix and playing the same set of numbers.
