Manuel Frank Gonzalez

Manny Gonzalez, a loved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother,son-in-law , nephew, cousin, father in-law and friend took his last breath with his beloved wife by his side in the early morning of Oct 10, 2023.

Born in Santa Rosa, Calif, he was proud of his humble beginnings and his Mexican heritage! Growing up in Healdsburg as a child, his parents both worked so Manny was cared for by his grandparents.

In the early 70’s, they moved to Santa Rosa where Manny was actively involved with wrestling in middle school and high school.

Because of his outgoing personality, he established lifelong friends from his neighborhood, elementary and junior high schools.

In High School, he started to pursue a career in forestry which began his love for the outdoors and gardening. Also in high school, he began his storied career in the food and beverage industry as a bar back which grew his love and knowledge as a bartender or now known as a Mixologist.

While bartending at Acapulco’s in 1984, this was the first meeting with Marina. Even tho he tried hard flirting with Marina, she blew him off. A year later they met again at the infamous Magnolia’s (hence why he called Marina “Maggie”) and the rest is history!

On Sept 14, 1986, they tied the knot with many of his lifelong friends and family along with Marina’s family in attendance in the great Redwood forest of Armstrong Woods.

As they grew in their love for one another and having a desire to grow their own family, they had difficulty in conceiving a child until May 1, 1992 when they were blessed with their first child, Noah Patrick.

With a desire to be closer to Marina’s family in the state of Wash, they moved to Lakewood in Oct ‘92. They lived there for many yrs as Marina continued her career with Safeway and Manny carried over his bartending skills at El Toro and Safeway as well as starting his own landscaping company on the side.

In 2010, when he had an accident falling down, the hospital discovered that his bones shattered in his femur. After additional testing, he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He began treatment immediately at the Seattle Cancer Care Center. He was treated for many years with near death experiences but the Lord granted him many more years after his initial diagnosis.

After 20 years, Manny wanted to be closer to his ailing parents so they moved back to Santa Rosa. Marina was transferred to a local Safeway and Manny continued with his treatment. Since he was unable to work, he kept busy by keeping the house in order and of course the yard.

Since moving from Washington, Manny and Marina were able to enjoy traveling to visit family and friends in Texas and Colorado, Washington and around California.

Before retiring from Safeway and pursing  her hearts desire (and college education) in Early Childhood Development as a teachers aide. Marina befriended a young lady that eventually fell in love with their son Noah. As their love for one another grew, they welcomed their son Thomas into their little family, Manny and Marina’s first grandchild. Tommy has been such a bright light and joy to their lives!

Due to the many chemo treatments since 2010, Manny would continually contract many side affects and infections prolonging his continual hospitalizations. In 2022, he was told he would need a bone marrow transplant in order to possibly extend his life. After a long search for a marrow donor, he finally had the bone marrow transplant in Nov 2022. They had to stay in Sacramento for 4 long months during the holidays which made it tough to be secluded and away from Family.

To add to their joy of having Tommy, Noah and Skyler got married in April 2023 with Manny by their side. Looking back now, Marina, Noah and Skyler are grateful that Manny lived long enough to not only experience some time with his grandson but also be able to attend their joyous day of their wedding!

If you knew Manny and would like to join in his Celebration of Life, please contact Marina or Skyler via her cell or Facebook.