Bienvenido Laurel Manzanero, 71, of Birmingham, Alabama, left this earth to return to his eternal home on Friday, July 11.

“Live your life while you can,” was a saying he often emphasized to his loved ones, and there was no doubt that Bienvenido lived out that credo until his very last day.

Lovingly called Bien or Nido by those closest to him, Bienvenido was born in Manila, Philippines. Ever a leader, he served as Student Council President and City Boy Councilor of Manila before graduating from San Sebastián College. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. After traveling to the United States and completing his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital—including a part-time stint helping provide medical care at Rikers Island prison—he joined Dartmouth Hitchcock in Nashua, New Hampshire, and later Hampstead Hospital where he practiced both inpatient and outpatient Psychiatry.

Bien was the definition of a fighter. After surviving a major car crash, two bouts with cancer, and two strokes, he exemplified what it meant to persevere both physically and spiritually. His true strength, however, lay in his unwavering faith, his love of our Lord, and his special devotion to Mary, our Mother.

Despite a busy schedule, Bien remained a devoted husband and father, always showing up for his kids’ games, family dinners, as well as celebrations big and small. He remained close with his siblings, and always prioritized keeping their families tight-knit. A man of many interests, he was an avid golfer, lover of great food, and disciplined second-degree black belt. He enjoyed going to the shooting range as much as he did sitting outside to paint and admire the hummingbirds. Bien also cherished traveling the world with his family, especially pilgrimaging to sites of Marian apparitions including Lourdes, Akita, and Fatima.

Bien is preceded in death by his father Timoteo Manzanero, mother Remedios Laurel Manzanero, as well as brothers-in-law Edwin Caluag and Gene Buencamino. He is survived by his wife, Mariquita Manzanero; his son Timothy Manzanero, along with partner Beth and granddaughter Thea; daughter Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman and husband Stu; sister Yolanda Buencamino; brother Bonifacio Manzanero and wife Evelyn; brother Timoteo Manzanero and wife Precy; sister Luz Caluag; along with numerous, loving nieces and nephews, to whom he was a beloved mentor and confidant.

A memorial service was held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in honor of Bien on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:00 am, with plans to one day lay his cremated remains to rest alongside his parents in the Philippines.

Bien’s zeal for life along with his unconditional love, unshakeable faith, indomitable perseverance, and incomparable dance moves will continue to leave positive imprints on this world for generations to come. 

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