Michael Manocchio

Michael Manocchio, age 91, beloved husband for 54 years of Mary (nee Antonelli), cherished father of Anthony Manocchio and Silvana Manocchio Kalman (husband Mark), dearest son of Antonio and Caterina Manocchio (both deceased), dear brother of the following deceased of Italy: Teresa Manocchio, Iolanda Giovinale (husband Giuseppe) and Filomena Manocchio, loving brother-in-law of Giovanni Antonelli (deceased) (wife Dora), Elda Iammarino (husband Donald, deceased), Adelmo Antonelli (wife Judy), Tulio Antonelli and the late Vincenzino, dear uncle of many.

Michael lived a long and wonderful life.  Born in Baranello, Italy on January 14, 1931 he experienced WW2 as a young boy and became the leader of his farming family as a young man.  He eventually learned of the opportunities in Cleveland, Ohio and in 1957 made the difficult decision to leave all he knew and loved to investigate a new world.  Upon his arrival he immediately set to creating a bright future and joined Laborers Local #310 of which he was a loyal and proud 65-year member to his final day.  Michael believed strongly in work and never once had a complaint, seeing it always as a path to make sure all were taken care of and that needs were always met.

Michael's greatest fortune however was in meeting his wife Mary, which would not have happened had they both not left their respective villages in Italy.  While their journeys were different, Michael and Mary shared the bond of emigrating to and meeting in Cleveland, Ohio and were married in 1968 at Our Lady of Peace Church near Shaker Square.  They had two children, Anthony and Silvana, who they adored and cared for immeasurably.  Michael and Mary went on to settle in Mayfield Heights in 1975 and have been devoted parishioners of St. Clare to this day. 

Michael always stressed education to his children, seeing it as a path to greater opportunities and was proud they obtained their university educations and degrees.  While Michael himself only had fifth grade schooling in Italy, he became a highly educated man through his own efforts.  He read newspapers voraciously, watched news closely and would visit local libraries and bookstores to read books and learned all he could from everyone he interacted with.  Michael was a humble man of few words but the words he shared carried great weight and meaning and he was always ready to help everyone he could however he could. 

In leisure Michael enjoyed countless trips to Italy to visit family and friends in Baranello, and the many opportunities to visit his wife’s town, Rionero Sannitico, getting to walk the pathways she traveled as a young girl and meeting the people she grew up with.  It was special for him to experience that, and he cherished the memories warmly.  He also enjoyed fondly the innumerable weekend trips with his wife Mary to regional Catholic shrines.  It was a chance for them to enjoy time with each other and with the many friends they shared on the trips. 

At rest Michael enjoyed the simple pleasure of being home tending to his prized vegetable garden, being a taste tester for cooking and baking practice, savoring a good meal and glass of wine in the company of family and friends, large gatherings for holidays and special occasions, helping with the annual tomato harvest and jarring, teaching people how to make wine and cured meats, and relaxing to a good sporting event, in particular cheering on the Azzurri in calcio. 

Michael will never be forgotten, living forever in our hearts and memories.  While we always want a little more time, we are fortunate he was with us physically for so long, in good health until the end.  But the time arrived for Michael to leave once again all he knew and loved to travel on a new journey.  We are at peace that any suffering is over, and that Michael is in paradise.  Michael couldn’t have been loved more, we are devotedly proud of him, and in time we will smile and laugh more than we cry when remembering and thinking of him. 

Entombment All Souls Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Tuesday, December 13 at The Church of Saint Clare, 5659 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, OH 44124. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 MAYFIELD ROAD, LYNDHURST (EAST OF RICHMOND ROAD) on MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 FROM 4 to 8 pm.