Manuel Mata

Raised in El Paso, he was one of seven children born to Manuel and Adelina Mata. Manuel was an intelligent man of many interests and hobbies who built a successful business in construction. Manuel and his family lived in Mississippi and Indiana before settling and building a life in Jacksonville, FL. A clever and charismatic man, Manuel made friends everywhere he went and was known as an excellent story teller and loved listening to stories. He was a man of great pride, firm principals, and a fierce love for his family. He was a collector of classic cars and enjoyed mariachi bands, singing Mexican music, rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, and thrived on having good natured debates and meaningful conversations.

Manuel is survived by his wife of 43 years, Petra Mata as well as his children, Armida Montoya, Manuel Mata Jr. (Faith), Adolfo Mata (Danielle), Roberto Mata (Tessa), Patricia Corpus (Joshua) and Rebeca Mata as well as his siblings- Bertha Alicia Perez, Connie Rodriguez, Rose Beshears, Elena Mata, Dolores Guerrero, and Antonio Mata. He leaves a legacy of eight grandchildren, Emma Montoya, Theodore Mata, Alessandra Mata, Amelia Mata, Milo Corpus, Maximo Corpus, Garnet Mata and Eliza Mata.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice and enjoy a nice cold Tecate in his memory.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 5pm to 7pm at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the MATA family.