1930 to 2025
We are heartbroken to announce that our kind, generous, fun and loving “man-of-many-hats” father/papa John Manzo died on May 18, 2025 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at 95 years of age.
John was born on May 16, 1930, to Peter (Pietro) and Annunziata Manzo (originally Manza), and grew up in Bayview, one of the Sault’s oldest neighbourhoods. With a strong work ethic, John spent his working life as an electrician and then foreman at Mannesmann Tube (Algoma Steel). He loved to play as hard as he worked. He was one of the four Johnnies (Manzo, Guzzo, Sorrentino, Trus) on the Bayview Jets baseball team. John’s warmth, good looks and charm swept Ellen Cuddy off her feet in 1953. John and Ellen married in 1955, which was the start of a wonderful 63-year journey together, with 7 children arriving in little more than 9 years. It was a boisterous and happy household, full of love, laughter, warmth and adventure, including many family camping trips. In his “spare time”, John also enjoyed gardening, bowling, curling and practical jokes. After retiring in 1987, John & Ellen moved to the shores of Lake Huron in Thessalon where they continued their many pursuits, among them travel, gourmet club gatherings, cross-country skiing and many family get-togethers. John wholeheartedly loved his family. John also was an avid fan of hockey (Detroit), baseball (Detroit) and curling. In 1990, John assisted with the Sault Ste. Marie Brier, the national men’s curling championship, and in 2014, he was made an honorary life member of the Thessalon Curling Club. Over the years, John traveled the country to attend the Brier, eventually making it to his 25th in Kingston in 2020. But one of his proudest achievements was helping to get Joe Klukay – a Bayview neighbor and Toronto Maple Leafs four-time Stanley Cup champion hockey player - inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame in 2021. John loved laughing and telling stories and had the most wonderful mischievous twinkle in his eyes when he did so.
John was predeceased by his siblings Theresa, Rita, Frank and Mary, and by his beloved wife Ellen. John lives on through his children Terry, Janet (Bob), Mike, John, Steve (Susan), Dave (Vicki) and Carol (Wayne), his daughter-in-law Marion, and his grandchildren, Peter, David, Niccola, Slater, Brock, Jack, Jared and Evan.
Special thanks to Carol, the baby of the family, for bringing so much joy and love to both Mom & Dad, particularly in their later years. As Dad always said, “good thing we didn’t stop at 6”.
John’s ashes will be interred next to the love of his life Ellen, in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. A celebration of life is pending.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation in his memory would be appreciated. Payable by cheque or online www.sahfoundation.com/memory
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).