Carl L. Manzella

Carl was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Edna Nicholas Manzella; and a sister, Doris Manzella Kawski.

Carl is survived by the love of his life, Diana Ferrau Manzella. They were married on April 19, 1958, in Jamestown, N.Y., and recently celebrated 63 loving years together.

Carl was born Aug. 18, 1932, in Brocton, N.Y. He was a 1951 graduate of Brocton Central School. He enjoyed playing both football and baseball for his school. When he wasn’t at school, Carl grew up helping his family run their family store, Manzella Superette, and also spent time when he was younger helping his grandmother and his uncle, Lee Manzella with the family grape farm.

After high school graduation, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1951, where he served his country for four years. He was honorably discharged in 1959. Carl was stationed at Great Lakes in Illinois for his basic training. He then transferred to Norfolk, Virginia to the USS Orion. After a year, he transferred to the U.S. Navy Submarine Base in New London, Conn., and attended Indoctrination School. He served two years there. From there he finished his time in Key West, Fla., aboard the USS Bushnell as a sub tender. Carl was discharged on Aug. 12, 1955.

Carl was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for Good Conduct. His favorite U.S. Navy memories he loved to share with his family included stories about the friends he made, his trips throughout the United States and Cuba, and his time stationed in Key West, Fla.

After Carl returned from the U.S. Navy, he worked at the Ford Plant in Lackawanna. From there, Carl began working for Carling’s Black Label as a driver/salesman. After several years, he then moved to Fred Koch Brewery as a driver/salesman. He worked there until the brewery closed. He enjoyed his job for Koch’s as he was able to be his happiest self by socializing with others and being out in the community. Carl then went to work for Bush Industries in Falconer in the maintenance department until his retirement in 1998.

However, retirement didn’t stop Carl from working. Shortly after retirement he began working part time for Basil Chevrolet in Fredonia driving cars all throughout the United States and Canada, where he finally retired.

Throughout retirement, Carl, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren grow up. He enjoyed telling stories to his grandchildren about when he was younger, working at his parent’s store, the farm, and his mischievous antics. When the family wasn’t at his house, Carl could be found watching the New York Yankees, the Buffalo Bills, western’s on TV, or doing word search puzzles. His house was his pride and joy as he built it with his father and father-in-law from the ground up.

Throughout retirement he completed many miscellaneous projects for his family.

Carl was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Fredonia. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion in Fredonia as well as a lifetime member of the Fredonia Beaver Club.

Carl had a stubborn but fun-loving nature. He loved to tell jokes which included telling three of his grandchildren that “soccer is not a real sport,” and his rants about how bad the Yankees were playing. He never allowed his grandchildren or wife to beat him at Yahtzee, claiming every game that he “must have got lucky.” He had a compassionate heart which was shown by his willingness to always give genuine advice to whoever needed it.

He would always ask everyone who visited how their day was going, how work was going, and what plans they had for the rest of the week. He was the go to person for his family when things needed to be built or fixed as he always knew how to get things done. Carl always bragged about his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments and regularly told them how proud he was of them all.

His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his loving wife and his four children” Pam Pleszewski (David) of Fredonia, Anthony Manzella of Dunkirk, Daniel Manzella (Jill) of Dunkirk and Judy Manzella of Fredonia.

Carl was the loving grandfather to Jonathan Pleszewski, Emily Pleszewski, Brayden Manzella, Olivia Manzella, and Nathaniel Manzella. Carl is also survived by his sister, Donna Manzella Westphal of Farmington, N.Y.

His family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Brooks Hospital for being so compassionate and taking good care of him. His family would also like to thank Dr. Ravi Sahni who quickly became one of Carl’s favorite people to see and is now a part of the family.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being made by R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 E. Doughty St., Dunkirk.