Richard M Manzari

Richard Matthew Manzari, a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024. Richard was a man of integrity, warmth, curiosity, creativity, passion, science, and unwavering love and wisdom. Born and raised in Valley Stream, New York, Richard attended Chaminade High School and Niagara University. With a knack for thinking outside the box, he made invaluable contributions to various scientific companies throughout his career, even earning a patent for one of his inventions. Richard expressed his artistic creativity through beautiful stained glass, glass fusion, painting and mixed media artwork which adorned the homes of family and friends. His love for hummingbirds mirrored his appreciation for life's fleeting beauty. An adventurer at heart, Richard rarely turned down a challenge, loved solving nearly-impossible riddles, and consistently found clever ways through a conundrum. He had a passion for sailboats and Maine where he found solace in the rugged landscapes and serene waters. Richard was also a devoted lover of animals, and he treated them with the same love that he shared with every other living thing. Richard thrived on being social, and drew great happiness from interacting with others. He was genuinely interested in the lives and stories of other people, and he was an active listener who had a clear desire to understand all of the people that he encountered in his lifetime. He was also a life-long fan of baseball (and many other sports) and he spent many an hour rooting for his beloved Phillies and Eagles. In addition, he was passionate about food and cooking, Ferrari’s and airplanes, music and movies, books, and holidays with his family and friends. Lastly, Richard possessed an expansive sense of humor, which was articulated perfectly in his trademark handlebar mustache.. Richard is survived by his devoted wife, Deirdre Ann Manzari, with whom he shared a lifetime of treasured memories and endless love. He was a pillar of strength and a hero for his daughter, Stacy Ann Blakeley, his granddaughter, Lillian Eve Blakeley and his adored pets Bryce, Sammy, Callie, and Claude. Despite the loss of his son, Richard Christopher Manzari, in August 2022, Richard remained resilient, offering comfort and solace to his family in their time of need. Once he became a grandfather, Richard became known lovingly as Pop-Pop. Richard was more than a father; he was a mentor, a confidant, a middle school science teacher, an artist, a marriage officient, a chef, an inventor and a source of endless wisdom and most importantly, good will. His son-in-law, Jason Alan Blakeley, viewed him as a trusted father, friend and guide and as a seemingly endless well of curiosity, knowledge and profound love. His sister-in-law, Debra Elizabeth Keller, and brother-in-law, Bruce Keller cherished countless memories with Richard, which were filled with laughter, travel, sailing, games, music, and movies. A celebration of Richard's life will be held at Perinchief Chapels in Mt. Holly, NJ on Friday, April 19th from 3:00 to 5:00 with a prayer service afterward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Richard’s honor to The Humane Society. As Richard Manzari bids farewell to this world, his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. Though he may have set sail on his final voyage, he will always remain a trusted and beloved first-mate, as the light of his spirit will forever shine bright in and guide the hearts, minds, and lives of all who loved him.

Richard M Manzari

December 20, 1949 - April 11, 2024