Robert Lewis Manzella, 74, of Rochester, NY, passed away peacefully on July 16th, 2023 after his long-standing battle with chronic health conditions.
Bob was born in Rochester, NY to Charles and Josephine (Licata) Manzella of Laurelton Road. He attended Saint Ambrose Grammar School and East High School. Bob proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1967-1971, including combat in the Vietnam War. Following his service, Bob was an avid entrepreneur. Early on, he owned several businesses in the greater Rochester area, including La Déjà Vu and the Big Apple Café. In Geneseo, Bob owned McDonald’s Geneseo Men’s Shop and The Outsider. Most recently in the Pittsford East Rochester area, Bob owned Naples Creek Shoes and Leather and 123 Shoes. (Xanax)
Outside of work, Bob adored spending time with his family and friends. He spent many years living on Honeoye Lake where he enjoyed boating. He had many hobbies including playing music (guitar and bass), participating in sports (baseball and football), and assuming the role of Santa during the holiday season. Bob’s friends always said that he was the life of the party and went out of his way to make everyone laugh.
Bob is survived by his wife Sheila Manzella of Irondequoit, NY and his son Christopher (Mamatha Challa) Manzella of Philadelphia, PA. Bob is also survived by his brother Tom Manzella of Santa Monica, CA, brother-in-law Anthony Amoroso of Penfield, NY, stepchildren Gina (Glenn) Nickel, Leah DeVola, and Samuel DeVola, grandchildren, as well as his aunt, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Bob was preceded in passing by his parents Charles and Josephine Manzella, sister Roslyn Amoroso, brother Charles Manzella, and sister-in-law Veronika Lineberry Manzella.
Bob will be sorely missed by his loved ones. Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday July 22nd from 11 AM – 2 PM at Lucca’s Northside Kitchen (311 N. Washington St, East Rochester, NY 14445). Lunch will be served as we remember and share fond memories of Bob. Please RSVP to bobmanzella.memorial@gmail.com if you plan on attending or have any questions.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Bob’s love for animals, please donate to Joyful Rescues at https://www.joyfulrescues.org.
Special thank you to the staff at the Bath VA Community Living Center for their loving, generous care to Bob toward the end of his life.
Comments
10 responses to “Manzella, Robert L.”
Very sorry for the loss. My deepest condolences to Shiela, Chris, Mamatha and the whole family. Bob lived a beautiful life and made everyone around him happy and blessed with his presence. He will be dearly missed!!!! I hope, you find solace in his loving memories and keeping those loving moments alive.
Very sorry for the loss. My deepest condolences to Shiela, Chris, Mamatha and the whole family. Bob lived a beautiful life and made everyone around him happy and blessed with his presence. He will be dearly missed!!!! I hope, you find solace in his loving memories and keeping those loving moments alive.
I am saddened to learn of Bob’s passing and my sympathy goes out to his friends and family at this difficult time. Bob and the Manzella Family has been very kind to Joyful Rescues over the years and our volunteers always had so much fun when 123Shoes hosted an adoption event for our dogs. The Manzella Family hosted a couple transports from a high kill shelter in West Virginia saving several dozen lives. Joyful Rescues sends well wishes to Bob’s friends and family.
Bob, and I, go back 50 years and were house mats in 3-different apartments. I consider Bob one of my best friends.
Bob and my brother Gary Fanale were best friends all through grammar and high school at St. Ambrose and East High. We lived a couple streets away from Bob. He always made us laugh when he would come over to our house and you always wanted more of that infectious energy. I would visit Naples Creek often and talk to Bob about the old days with Gary and myself. And Bob and I would exchange conversations on Facebook. He was one of a kind and the world needs more of Bob Manzellas.
So sad to see Bob’s passing in the paper today.
Our condolences to everyone in the family.
Eddie Gadd
So sad to see Bob’s passing in the paper today. We all grew up together.
Our condolences to everyone in the family.
Eddie Gadd
Bob was the kind of guy you wanted to hang out with.He was serious and funny. We attended East High school We both were in bands and would go to hear each other practice and play out. My condolences to the family
It’s impossible to write all the beautiful memories I have about Bob. Because of him, my happiest childhood memories were spending summers at the house at Honeoye Lake. And after having my own child, his Christmas Santa visits for her and the love he showed her and continued to show for me. I am deeply grateful for his life, for it forever enhanced my own. His heart was always open, his love and kindness forever present. My heartfelt sympathies to all who loved him and to all he loved.
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathies in Robert’s passing.
We acknowledge are truly grateful for his service to our country.