George Manzoli passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on April 12, 2024 – a week after celebrating his 94th Birthday. George was born in Lucca, Italy April 5, 1930 to Emilio and Rosa Manzoli. He grew up during the wartime in Italy and experienced first-hand the rise and fall of Mussolini – the Nazi occupation and the Allied liberation in 1945. He loved telling stories of his life in Italy during the war and often said how he lived history.
At the age of 19, George emigrated to the United States in 1949 joining his uncles Beppe “Joe” and Domenico “Torcia” Nieri who had settled in Roseville years earlier. When he first arrived, he lived with his uncle Beppe and aunt Oliva and finished his studies at Sierra College. After graduation he signed up for the selective service, was drafted and served honorably as a Marine during the Korean War, earning his U.S. citizenship in 1954 while serving in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was immensely proud of his military service and was a true patriot in every sense of the word. After becoming a citizen, he lived his civic duty of voting in every single election.
After years of working as US Postal Carrier and as a switchman for the Southern Pacific Railroad, in 1962, George returned to Italy to try to get a job with the US government in Italy. Instead of finding a job, he met the love of his life Liliana Bartolini and the two of them wed the same year in September 1962 and moved back to Roseville, where they were happily married for 62 years and raised their 3 children.
George epitomized a hard worker – holding down 2 full time jobs for 12 years. His dedication and work ethic were unsurpassed. He retired from the Southern Pacific in 1994 and was a proud union man.
George was an avid golfer and after his retirement worked many years at Diamond Oaks as a marshal. He loved soccer, and he loved watching the 49ers. He was passionate about Italy, about opera – especially Puccini and he could recite verses from Dante from memory. He was a devout Catholic from any early age serving as an alter boy and later attending St. Rose Church for many years. And recently when his mobility declined, he enjoyed watching the Papal Mass every Sunday on TV. He was a very active member of the Sons of Italy for decades and anyone who ever attended any Sons of Italy or Italian Catholic Federation dinner fondly remembers him tending bar. He was a lifetime member of the Roseville VFW.
George leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Liliana, his son Mark and his wife Ann of Elk Grove, his son Anthony and his partner Sandra of Roseville, and his daughter Vicki and her husband Costas of Folsom and many relatives throughout the U.S. and Italy. There was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his loved ones and family dinners enjoying his wife’s amazing cooking. Everyone who knew him remembers his goodness, his kindness, and his selflessness. He lived an exceptional life and those close to him were fortunate to have had him in their lives for so long.
The family gives their sincerest heartfelt thanks to all the nurses and staff of Sutter Hospice. Their help in the past month has been a godsend.
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