Mansfield was "man's field". He was all man. Straight, No Chaser. We shared a love of the down home blues. We kept it real. He has been a part of my family for over 40 years; what can I say? He will be missed.
The Train Track Room: When we were children, Mom and Dad would take us by Aunt Jackie and Uncle Manny's house for sleep overs and play dates. Uncle Manny was kind enough to bring us BBQ ribs, fried chicken, mac n cheese or pepperoni pizza (despite our pescatarian home diets) and let us sit and watch a favorite movie or cartoon as long as we didn't mind a few football highlights as interruptions. We made sure to honor the 49ers and/or Browns upon entry to the house and give kisses to our aunty and hugs to uncle. Uncle Manny had a sense for childhood wonder and made a point take us places, laugh with and advocate for us. He was big man who cared for delicate things. On occasion, he would bring one or two of us to his train track room to show us the intricate world he had created. He sternly warned us to not break anything and just watch as he powered the track and let the engines pull the carts over the plaster hills, along the cantilevered cliffs and through the dim lit boulevards. You know I didn't expect him to let me hold one of his model trains. Perhaps he saw something in me that day. Perhaps he saw a little engineer. Perhaps he saw a kid who could appreciate the craft. Or maybe it was just a way to keep me from getting bored. I don't know. One thing is certain though, he let my mind care a bit about potential and possibility. I held the small yellow engine precariously overwhelmed at the thought of Uncle Manny tinkering, building, connecting, breaking, mending, soldering, fastening and perching, creating these worlds, transforming one dusty room at a time. He will always be a person that gave me opportunity to wonder. Thank you for that, Uncle Manny. 🙏🏿
— with
Eldridge Shay
My good friend Manny....it was always a good time talking to Manny about our model trains, trips to the train shows all over the place...talking about football, he though he could still play, about Hertz were we worked and about his time in the Military. and always about church. I will miss my friend very much. Rest In Peace
Sorry to hear about the passing of Manny. We worked together at Hertz and had many conversations while riding in the van together about his time in the military, football, church, food and many other topics. He always seemed to be in good spirits in spite of his struggles with his health the past few years. I will miss him.
I'm so sorry for the loss of Manny. He was always happy and upbeat. He LOVED to eat good home cooked food and the Cleveland Browns!!! He will be missed.