Condolences
i just found out this amazing man and doctor died. Jack was by far the best doctor anyone could have. When I was in an automobile accident on Rte 9 and went to see him he made sure that I was treat quicky and when he could not fix he got me the best neuro dr in Manhattan to operate on my ulnar nerve. When my husband go into the car accident by a hit and run driver Dr Jack didnt care he made sure that he was treat and he send him to Dr S for help and he had 17 hours of neuro surgery. If it was not for Dr Jack my husband would not be walking today or I would not be able to use my left arm. Dr Jack has always had a very special place in my heart. I know he is in heaven with my daughter Blair looking down on us and smiling. All my love to all of his family.
Dear Michelle and Family, I was just informed of the passing of a Beloved Person! Jack Manzella! What an amazing Doctor and person! I am so very sorry for your loss. I had no idea that he was this ill as He had such a great attitude! about life and everything! Life gets ahead of us all and then you find out that an incredible person is no longer here. With Deepest Sympathy Always, Heather Rhodes (God Bless!)
Dear Ed and Family: Please accept my condolences on the death of your father. I know that when we lose someone so dear, it is never easy. My prayers are with you all. The Bible says that "absent in the body, present with the Lord." He is home now. Sincerely, Eileen
Dear Ed, Victor and Jack My deepest sympathy to the entire Manzella family. Your father had to be a great man to raise the 3 wonderful men/physicians that I know. I'm sure you will miss him but always remember the great memories you made as a family.
On a day of burial there is no perspective -- for space itself is annihilated. Your dead friend is still a fragmentary being. The day you bury him is a day of chores and crowds, of hands false or true to be shaken, of the immediate cares of mourning. The dead friend will not really die until tomorrow, when silence is round you again. Then he will show himself complete, as he was -- to tear himself away, as he was, from the substantial you. Only then will you cry out because of him who is leaving and whom you cannot detain.
-Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Dear Dr Jack and family, I'am sorry for the lost of one great person. He was a good person to work with and to know as a friend. My condolences and prayers goes out to you and the family. May you rest in peace Doctor manzella. You may be gone but u will never be forgotten.
Jack and Manzella Family, Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. Love, The Walter Family
As you can see the wind was blowing, it was cold...we were in Miami for the Super Bowl.We were getting so tossed around I threw up off the flying bridge, it hit Pop down below. He looked up from the corner of his eyes and knew it was me. Kept on fishing, "it'll toughen you up". He was right!
Pop had a tremendous wit and he was quite a teaser. Obviously this did not happen overnight as this picture from his adolescent years demonstrates. One of my favorite one liners was in reference to a neighbor's death. The neighbor was fleecing the system and collecting unwarranted disability checks and his wife worked like a dog. When we told Pop he died suddenly; his reply (without missing a beat); "it definitely wasn't from overworking"!
Someday I hope to remember my Dad just like this, after surgery, getting ready to go fishing. A man who lived large and played hard. This picture was taken in his office in the late 70's/Early 80's; he didn't really like his office hours.The operating room was his playing field. In his prime, he was known for great hands & vision, with a calm demeanor in the OR and people loved to work with him (it didn't hurt that he always treated for lunch after morning cases).
Pop & the first Topper
Pop loved dogs and always taught us to treat them well. He told me the reason your dog is your best friend is; "they'll never rat you out and no matter what time you roll in, and no matter where you have been, they are ALWAYS happy to see you!" In retrospect, he always had male dogs....This is a picture of him with his first boxer named Topper and many a story revolved around Topper and Blitz (his German Shepherd) brawling or them attacking some unsuspecting victim that wandered in the truck lot or butcher shop yard. Dad loved the hot weather and having his shirt off.
Dad was coming to the end of his prime at this point but he was still vibrant and obviously still packing a loaded pencil. He often told us older children how proud he was of Matt and Tzach and all they did. It was quite funny when he would lament to us when they would get into trouble as all of us did because his memory was becoming very selective when it came to us and our youthful exploits. He said to Ed, Vic and I once; "I never remember having these troubles with you kids"! We laughed and said that he should get worked up for Alzheimers because of all the beatings we got for him having to go the principals office and other "judicial institutions".
Pop loved children and loved to boast and brag about all his children. But like most of us Dads, we have a tendency not to say it to our kids directly.We usually feel the stings of criticisms more as we grow up. The oldest get it the worst, Ed and Vic were no exception. Before he went into the hospital for the final time, we had our own last supper. Dad said he was so proud of us all and he was so happy to be there with us. It was a bittersweet moment for us all to witness this in our father who was so tough on us at times growing up when we invariably fell short of his high expectations. He realized something at that moment we did not, he was saying it because he probably knew his days left on earth were few and it was important that we understand it was his love of all his children that made him act the way he did.
Here Dadis dancing with his first granddaughter Nikki about 25 years ago. He was truly light on his feet and a tremendous dancer. Whether it was the Lindy, Jitterbug or any other, he could move that big frame with agility and grace that was very similiar to his father Victor. One of the saddest days was when he lost his leg to diabetes and he could dance no more. As one family member put it; "how sad this had to happen, because he loved to dance".
Dad truly loved dogs and his greatest affection was for the big breeds like Sheps and Rotties. He always said get em as pups because when they are raised with the family there's never a problem. The bigger dogs could "take more of a beating from kids" and they were a deterrant to "burglars and bill collectors"! Both major concerns to Pop.
Our community has lost wonderful doctor, and a wonderful friend. It was clear that he took a personal interest in his patients, always demonstrated genuine concern, and his warmth and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Dear Vic and family, my deepest and most sincere condolences on your loss. Best wishes, Rich Brooks, Delbarton Class of 1978.
I met Dr. John a few times while being friends with Jack. He had a great love for animals and experiencing all that life had to offer. I know he prided himself in his family and his work.
Dr. Manzella, may you RIP in eternity. I had the pleasure to work w/ you many years ago at Centra State, when it was Freehold Area Hospital. You were a wonderful, extremely caring doctor to all the patients when I worked 5N in the 80's, then SSU, then the OR. You will not be forgotten, your legacy lives on in all your family. Our condolences go out to Michelle & all your children grandchildren & Great-grandchildren. You have touched many lives.......
Besides being the team doctor for Barringer HS during my Dad's tenure as Head Coach, he was a great friend who would do anything for those kids and to help my Dad. I remember watching him treat an injured players knee by injecting a needle so big I almost passed out! He introduced me and my Dad to saltwater fishing and crabbing. Both of which I still love to do to this day.
RIP Dr. Jack. Until we meet again.
When I look at this picture I often think of Kevin Costner in "The Field of Dreams" when he talks about how his Dad became a mere shell of himself, hollowed out by time and just existing". Its hard not to choke back the tears as I hope some day like in the movie, the Dad I knew of my youth could come down and play catch with us. This picture was taken some time before the first of many cancers, strokes, heart attacks and diabetes made this once proud man a mere shell of his former self. The pain of the final chapter of his life is difficult to erase with the vision so fresh in my mind. But I know with time the fond memories will be the ones that are relayed and remembered to his many descendants. To paraphrase the end of "Brian's Song"; let us choose not to remember how he died, but how he lived, and oh, how he loved to live".
Pop loved dogs and always taught us to treat them well. He told me the reason your dog is your best friend is; "they'll never rat you out and no matter what time you roll in, and no matter where you have been, they are ALWAYS happy to see you!" In retrospect, he always had male dogs....This is a picture of him with his first boxer named Topper and many a story revolved around Topper and Blitz (his German Shepherd) brawling or them attacking some unsuspecting victim that wandered in the truck lot or butcher shop yard. Dad loved the hot weather and having his shirt off.
Someday I hope to remember my Dad just like this, after surgery, getting ready to go fishing. A man who lived large and played hard. This picture was taken in his office in the late 70's/Early 80's; he didn't really like his office hours.The operating room was his playing field. In his prime, he was known for great hands & vision, with a calm demeanor in the OR and people loved to work with him (it didn't hurt that he always treated for lunch after morning cases).
James Gandolfini capitolized on Dad's killer good looks first thing in the morning and his devotion to fashion. The Terry-Cloth robe opened to the crotch and flashing his boxers was always good motivation to push away from the breakfast table and get an early start on the day.
Pop didn't care how cold it was, all he wanted to do was fish. It was the fall of roughly 1972 judging by brother Victor looking about 12 years old. We all wore Barringer football clothes courtesy of their athletic department. Dad never charged Barringer a dime for being their team doctor because of his love of Frank Verducci and the game.
Upon graduation from Medical School in Padua, the new doctor "was kicked out" by his colleagues and sent into the real world.
Lynn and I were both Cowboy's fans and Dad was able to get tickets the Super Bowl in Miami against the Steelers in 1976. He was so pissed because all he wanted to do the day before fish and it was snowing. He told us to "leave him the f*** alone". So Lynn and I decided to decorate him while he slept.
Dr. Manzella was one of the best orthopedic doctors in the state of New Jersey. We want to thank him for his time, guidance and the love he showed for each and everyone of us on the team. My most memorable moment of Doc was the time he let me watch him perform knee surgery on a patient. Dexter Cumberlander You will be missed but never forgotten.
Jack was a unique person. Our love of football was what initially brought us together. His medical expertise, kindness and generosity to the student athletes of Barringer High School can not be measured. Jack was a pioneer and trend setter in high school sports...schools did not have team doctors in those days, yet he faithfully served the BHS football team each and every Saturday without pay. His loyalty went so deep that when I coached at Governor Livingston High School in the early 80's, Jack was right there at my side. He was a family man and loving father. Jack was an extension of our family as we could always count on him being there in our time of need. The entire Verducci family mourns his loss and extends our sympathies to his family. He holds a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten.
Great memories of days at St Vincent's - when we were young, wild and stupid. Godspeed.
Dear Manzella family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. May your dad rest in peace.
Dear Manzella Family, We are very sorry for your loss, our family will keep your family in our daily prayers. Love, Shalmar, Kassandra, and P.Keegan.
John and Kelli Scire and Family made a donation to
You have my deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Kelli
Marge Rajnic & Shigo Family made a donation to ARC of Monmouth County
We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Although we only met your dad briefly, he was so good with my parents, his bedside manner was greatly appreciated. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies. It is never easy to lose a parent.