Manuel C. PEREZ

PEREZ, Manuel C.
Born on July 20, 1919 in Santa Catarina, Jalisco, Mexico; passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 in Elk Grove, CA at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Christine Chaboya Perez. He is survived by his five children, Elva Correa (David); Manuel J. Perez (Donna); Jerry Perez (Phyllis); Ronald Perez (Priscilla); and Kathee Chavez (Rudy); and his 14 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. Manuel enlisted in the Navy in 1943, despite the initial reservations of his wife, and the pain of leaving his two small children. A recent immigrant to the United States, he felt a sense of duty to his new country; he chose the Navy because he wanted to see some action in the Pacific. He got his wish while working on a small Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) ship: he and his crew witnessed some of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific while patrolling the waters off Tinian, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Pelelieu. Manuel's experiences have been catalogued in a video that resides in the U. S. Library of Congress for the Veterans History Project. After the war, Manuel worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a boilermaker and in 1949 for the U.S. Postal Service, where he held various positions until he retired in 1971. A special thanks and heartfelt gratitude from his family go out to all the staff at Laguna Springs, for the loving care they provided him, A military honor service will be held at Saint Mary's Cemetery on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM. A 'Celebration of Life' will follow at the Elk Grove Elk's Lodge at 9240 Survey Road in Elk Grove, CA. Arrangements by Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger.