On December 6th, 2019, just before his 94th birthday, our Dad, Husband, Opi, Uncle Manny, Professor De Leon, joined his parents & siblings in heaven. His last days were thankfully in absolute peace with his family by his side 24 hours a day, here in Tucson, Arizona.

With his room's window open to magnificent views of Pusch Ridge in the Catalina Mountains and his favorite music as ambient background; his family sang him songs and played instruments, read his favorite poems, shared endless stories, viewed photos, cried, laughed, cried some more, and saw their Dad/Husband off to his next journey somewhere in this universe.

In Opi's final moments his hands clutched a USC football, and over the final days held his favorite paint brushes and drumsticks, while wearing his Trojan and wedding rings. Over him hung photos of his lovely grandchildren Liesl and Mila, and some of his finest artwork, both of which he would proudly point out to Catalina Springs staff over the last year & a half.

Last week, Uncle Manny & family livened up his home-away-from-home with a boisterous Thanksgiving dinner party that included him playing with his grandchildren, strumming on the piano, and the week prior he attended an ice hockey game with his son André.

In the coming year, his wife Helga will choose a suitable place to free his ashes. As of yet, no memorial plans have been finalized.

Manuel's family thanks everyone who visited him or sent him love and joy in his final year.