Gabriel Manzanares

1941 - 2011

Gabriel G. Manzanares passed away on Monday, July 25, 2011, in Nampa, Ida. He was 69 years old.
Gabriel was born on Sept. 11, 1941, in Pharr, Texas to Fulgencio and Leonarda Manzanares. Gabriel grew up and attended schools in Pharr. Growing up, his family would travel from Texas to Oregon, Arizona, and Idaho to work in the fields. It was during one of these moves to Caldwell that Gabriel met his future wife, Maria.
The couple married on Feb. 14, 1968. Gabriel worked for the LTV Corporation and the couple lived in Grand Prairie, Texas.
In 1971, they decided to move to Idaho to be closer to family. Once in Caldwell, Gabriel began working for the Caldwell School District as a migrant home-school coordinator. He enjoyed working with migrant families since he understood their lifestyle and helped them with their transition into the community.
Gabriel eventually left the Caldwell School District and went to work for the J.R. Simplot Company. Gabriel worked for Simplot for 27 years, and retired in February, 2006.
Gabriel was an active member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. He and Maria were active in the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano for many years. He was also active in the Cursillo movement for many years, and assisted many retreat participants with spiritual development and guidance. Gabriel was a true Cursillista, as he exemplified a life of prayer, service and sacrifice.
Gabriel was an avid baseball fan. He coached Little League teams in Caldwell, and enjoyed watching the Boise Hawks play.
He loved visiting with his family and old friends at his childhood home in Pharr every year. He also enjoyed listening to Tejano music and even spent time as a DJ for a local radio station. He also enjoyed spending time with his two dogs, Tico and Memo.
Gabriel is survived by his daughter, Lori of Boise; mother Leonarda Manzanares of Pharr, Texas; siblings, Jose M. Manzanares (Cruz) of Pharr, Texas; Jose F. Manzanares of Caldwell, Ida.; Maricelda Rico (Francisco) of Edinburg, Texas, and Marcela Escamilla of Aurora, Ill.
He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mary F. Villarreal of Caldwell, Blanca Barbosa of Aurora, Ill., and Norma Ortiz (Francisco) of Alamo, Texas, and brothers-in-law, Carlos Vargas of Modesto, Calif., and Hector Vargas of Edinburg, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Maria Manzanares; father, Fulgencio Manzanares; infant son, Gabriel Manzanares, Jr.; brother, Jesus Manzanares, and sisters, Ana Mendoza and Juanita Renteria.
A Rosary will be held on Thursday, July 28, at 7 p.m., at Flahiff Funeral Chapel , Caldwell. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 29, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic church, 1122 W. Linden Street, Caldwell, with Fr. Enrique Terriquez as celebrant. Interment will follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery. Gabriel's online guestbook may be signed at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com.
Gabriel- your strength, faith and wisdom helped our family get through difficult times and you will be remembered forever.
Thank you for wonderful sense of humor, love and compassion.
We will miss you! ¡De Colores!