In Loving Memory

Manuel DeJesus Lopez

December 24, 1923 - April 26, 2022

"He dreams, he plans, he struggles, that we might have the best.

His sacrifice is quiet. His Life is Love expressed." ~ Unknown

Manuel DeJesus Lopez passed away peacefully on the morning of April 26, 2022, after spending the previous days surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was 98 years old and loved beyond measure.

Manuel was born on Christmas Eve in 1923, in the mountains of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, to Carmen Morales Lopez and Jacobo Lopez. He is predeceased by his sisters, Josephina, Carmen and Dominga and his brother, Pedro. At the age of 28, he was introduced to Gloria Marin, the woman who would become his wife and companion of 70 years, until his final days. In 1953, with their eldest daughter Gloria in tow, they relocated from Puerto Rico to New York, where they had three more children: Ruy, Madelyn, and Lizette.

Upon moving to New York, Manuel worked for many years as a welder with the Fedders Corporation by day and a maintenance worker in New York City by night, often with very little rest in between, determined to provide a better life for his family. He found strength in God and became a man of deep faith who participated in the local church, at times preaching the gospel at services. Manuel enjoyed a simple, uncomplicated life surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. In 1991, he bought a home and moved the family to Levittown, New York, where he lived until 2018, when he, his wife, Gloria, and eldest daughter, Gloria Ivelisse moved to Central Florida.

Manuel had a playful spirit … he loved jokes and laughter. He loved babies and hugs and cuddles. He was an avid animal lover, a proud sponsor of the ASPCA and supported organizations against animal cruelty. Manuel loved gadgets and, with little education and no training, he taught himself how to handle a computer, and even enjoyed a Facebook and Twitter account in his later years with the help of his grandchildren. He could take almost anything apart and put it back together better. He was fascinated and inspired by all kinds of music and loved listening to it on his headphones at full volume. He was a fan of boxing, baseball and barbecue. He swore his wife made the best cup of coffee, hands-down and would tell you no one cooked better than she did (especially her empanadillas and pernil). He is missed more than words can express.

Manuel joins his beloved daughter, Gloria Ivelisse Lopez-Marin, who passed on April 21, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Lopez (nee Marin), his daughters Madelyn Howarth and Lyzzette (Lizette) Lopez-Marin and his son Ruy Albert Lopez, his grandchildren, Elena, Erika, Joseph, Melanie, Mark, Robert, Michael, Kiani, Cameron great grandchildren, Matthew, Daniel, Michaela, Elijah, Isaiah, Miles, Noah and Oliver, and great-great grandchildren, Kayden, Kiara, Khalia, Isabel, and Diana.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation and the ASPCA.