Ismael Manzanares

Ismael Manzanares, known to most as Smiley, Dad, Tata, Mr. M, and Compa to name a few, was born in Los Angeles, California on July 28, 1933 to Rafaela and Leo Manzanares, their only child. His was raised by his mom and aunts. His mom worked hard and saved enough money to buy a home for them on Geraghty Avenue in Los Angeles and made sure he had a solid Catholic education. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School and soon after joined the US Army, Airborne Unit in March of 1953. He was a paratrooper and was stationed in Ft Bragg, North Carolina until 1956.

In 1957, he met Gloria through his compadres, Rudy and Josie Padilla. He fell hopelessly in love and was wed on August 31, 1957.

He was employed with the LA Department of Water and Power for almost 35 years as a cable splicer. He was a devout Catholic, involved with his church, lectured at the 7:30 masses, active with the Knights of Columbus, a CCD teacher, involved with the Boy Scouts and LOVED Vegas. His camping trips to Refugio State Beach every summer with all his family and friends started when his children were very young and continued as the grandchildren came along. We would joke that the only place his RV knew to go was mainly Refugio State Beach or El Capitan in Santa Barbara, Ca. Everyone loved being there and couldn’t wait till reservation time opened up every year. There was nothing more important to him than his family. As the years went on, we realized that was all he ever wanted.

He is survived by his daughter, Loretta and her son, Julius, his son Ismael, wife Nancy and their children, Nicolle, Jordan and Jacob, his daughter Lauren and husband, Tim, and his son Steven John and his wife, Connie.