In the early hours of Monday, August 15th, 2022, Manuel Antonio Gutiérrez Núñez passed away in Orlando, FL. He was 79 years old.

Manuel was a North Star for many. He was married to his soulmate Tania Gallegos for 53 years. They had three wonderful kids together: Adriana, Gabriela and Alejandro. His children were his best work of art until his grandkids came. They brought a new level of joy, happiness and fulfillment to his life.

He was the anchor of the growth and unity of his family, which includes daughter-in-law Daniela and sons-in-law José Luis and Kevin. His grandkids Luis Eduardo, Isabella, Valeria, David, Alexa and Max called him "Nonono", a name that many friends later adopted when referring to him.

Manuel had wonderful friends everywhere. He was loved and admired by his siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends. Due to his always positive attitude and outlook in life he became an advisor, counselor and confidant to many. He did this with grace, strategic vision and profound wisdom. He gave with an unparalleled level of generosity. Solidarity was his mantra.

His intellectual abilities were second to none. He was an electrical engineer with a master's degree from Georgia Tech Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Calling Georgia Tech his alma mater was one of his best accomplishments. He loved to teach, not only in some of the best universities in Venezuela, but more importantly he loved helping his family study and secure academic achievements. Teaching his grandkids gave him infinite satisfaction. Seeing them graduate from college and discuss professional options with him was his secret happy pill. Education was such an important part of his life that when he migrated to the USA with his family, he decided to start a pre-school to continue his legacy of investing in the education of others.

Manuel also loved to exercise and be active. This was such an important aspect of his life. However, the biggest love of his life was his wife Tania. He could not picture life without her and the family they built together. That family is, and will always be, his best legacy and the best way to honor and celebrate his life.

We will always be looking forward to Fridays, with the same anticipation and enthusiasm as he had. Pizza Friday with the whole family was his favorite time of the week, and the best way to start the weekend. He was an endless optimist, with favorite phrases like "life is beautiful", "awesome", "let's have fun" and "chacao".  The song "What a Wonderful World" was the best summary of his character.

This separation is only temporary. His spirit will always be with us, and the love that he shared with us will be the engine of our hearts forever.

En la madrugada del Lunes, 15 de Agosto de 2022, Manuel Antonio Gutiérrez Núñez falleció en la ciudad de Orlando, FL, a los 79 años.

Manuel fue ejemplo para muchos. Casado con Tania Gallegos por 53 años, tuvieron tres hijos Adriana, Gabriela y Alejandro. Ellos eran su mayor orgullo hasta que llegaron los nietos, los cuales vinieron a ser la gran felicidad de su vida. Ver a su familia unida y cada vez más grande con la presencia de sus hijos políticos, José Luis, Kevin y Daniela, la vida de Manuel siempre estuvo rodeada de mucha felicidad. Sus nietos, Luis Eduardo, Isabella, Valeria, David, Alexa y Max lo llamaban Nonono, nombre que después usaron muchas personas para referirse a Manuel cariñosamente.

Manuel sembró amistades que mantuvo durante toda su vida. Sus hermanos, tíos, sobrinos, hermanos políticos, amigos y todo el que lo conociera lo admiraba y respetaba. Manuel era el consejero de muchos con su visión impecable y palabras certeras. Perdimos la cuenta de a cuantas personas ayudó Manuel a lo largo de su vida. Solidaridad con todos era su lema.

Su inteligencia también era abundante y así lo demostró al graduarse de Ingeniero Eléctrico y al hacer un postgrado en la universidad Georgia Tech Institute of Technology en Atlanta, GA. Georgia Tech era su Alma Mater y uno de sus más grandes orgullos.

Era un profesor de vocación. No solo enseñó en las mejores universidades de Venezuela, sino también ayudó a estudiar a sus hermanos, hijos y muchos años después, se dedicó a enseñar a sus nietos, algo que hizo con un entusiasmo incomparable. Su mayor deseo era ver a sus nietos graduarse de la universidad. La educación era tan importante para él, que cuando se vino a los Estados Unidos, decidió invertir en la educación pre-escolar en este país y así de alguna manera continuar con su contribución a la enseñanza.

Manuel también tenía gran pasión por el ejercicio físico. Todas las mañanas hacía 15 millas en su bicicleta estacionaria y se sentía muy orgulloso al respecto.

Pero su gran amor fue siempre Tania. Manuel no conocía la vida sin ella y la familia que formaron seguirá siendo siempre unida para honrar y celebrar su maravillosa vida.

Seguiremos esperando cada Viernes con las mismas ansias que los esperaba Manuel. Viernes de pizza eran una de sus reuniones familiares favoritas y su manera perfecta de comenzar el fin de semana listos para disfrutar.

Manuel era sinónimo de optimismo. Como siempre decía, "la vida es bella!", "buenísimo!", "vamos a divertirnos!", "Chacao!". La canción "What a Wonderful World" resumía su manera de ver la vida.

La separación será física en este momento, pero el espíritu de Manuel siempre estará vivo entre nosotros.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.