Manley Keith Zacca

Manley Keith Zacca, the son of Lera Morris and Lacelle Zacca, was born on September 2, 1936 in Cambridge, St James Jamaica. He is predeceased by his sister Doris Watts, his brothers Marcel, Phillip and Lloyd.  He is survived by his sisters Brenda, Lorna, and Allison. His wife, Pat, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He received his early education at Cambridge Elementary School and Clarendon College (secondary school) in Chapelton, Clarendon.  While at Clarendon College he liked to attend SCM Services when pastors came to give devotional messages. It was at one of these services that he gave his life to Christ.  He was an avid athlete and became the Athletic Champion Boy (Athlete of the Year) in both 1954 and 1955.  After graduation he began working at the Bauxite Company in Jamaica.

In June of 1960 Manley migrated to the United States where he attended NYC Community College and received his Associate Degree. He completed his Bachelors of Science in Engineering from St. Francis College. He began his career as a Materials QA Coordinator at Prestex in 1962 - 1965. He went on to Precision Heat Treat from 1965 - 1968. In 1968 he began working at Warner Lambert an engineer and enjoyed it so much he remained there for 26 years.  Manley was frequently described as a classy gentleman, he was always jovial, caring, and loving.  Motivated by his deep faith he willingly assisted anyone who was in need.

Manley married Althea ‘Pat’ Edwards, the love of his life, on November 1st, 1967.  He is survived by his wife Pat, his two natural sons, Nasciff Colton Zacca married Karen Zacca & Edward Tennyson Zacca engaged to Monyca Hill, and his ‘adopted’ son Kenny McGuire married to AnnMarie McGuire. His three grandchildren, Hannah Roman married to Frank Roman, Asher Zacca married to Courtney Zacca, and Matthias Zacca as well as his two great grandchildren Raylie and Zadie Roman.  He will be mourned by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

During their 56 years of marriage Manley and Pat lived in Brooklyn, NY, Cambria Heights, NY, West Orange NJ, Puerto Rico, Succasunna, NJ, Sebring Florida & finally residing in Quakertown PA with their children Colton and Karen.  In all of these homes the doors were open to care for family, friends, & individuals who were in need even to the point of residing with them. Anyone who entered always felt welcomed and loved.  Their home was also a center for all of those to celebrate, not only the holidays but any special occasion.  

While living in Cambria Heights, Manley taught Nasciff to ride his bike and suddenly he was whipping all around the neighborhood.  Both the boys had a need for speed, and when they moved to West Orange, NJ he indulged Edwards inner racecar driver by buying him a go cart.  Manley and the boys spent hours racing around empty parking lots when the weather permitted.  They also spent time tinkering around with their cars, giving them the knowledge to make minor repairs as needed.  

While living in West Orange, Manley was an assistant Boy Scout Master and was awarded the ‘Spark Plug’ Award from the Essex Council of Boy Scouts in recognition of the ‘Extra Spark’ of Dedication, Loyalty, and Enthusiasm that he contributed to the pack.  He built the raceway for the pack’s PineWood Derby and their honorary Arrow of Light Ceremony podium. It was also in West Orange where Manley ‘adopted’ his son of his heart Kenny McGuire at the age of 4 the day the Zacca’s moved to town.

While living in Puerto Rico, they were an active part of the local non-denominational English-speaking church.  Fond memories include small group bible studies, taking part in the Puerto Rican cultural celebrations including Parandea during Christmas, and making lifelong friends. 

While living in Sebring, FL Manley was the Church Treasurer at Spring Lake Baptist Church for 17 years where they attended every Sunday and made many lasting friendships.  This is where he became a Sorrel Farmer and provided Sorrel to all the Jamaican Expats living in the Florida and New York markets.  A great joy of their time in Florida was reuniting with their high school classmates from Clarendon College.  They meet once a month in homes from Jacksonville to Miami for brunch.  This group was made up of students who moved out of Jamaica and were employed all over the world from Russia, Australia, all of Europe and North America in top corporate, medical, governmental positions who then retired to Florida and became ‘teenagers’ again once a month.

In 2018 they moved to Quakertown to be with their son and his family.  The joy of these years was meeting their great granddaughters Raylie and Zadie and spending time with their grandchildren.

All are invited to a viewing on Saturday, November 25th, from 10:00AM ~ 11:00AM located at Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd. 135 W. Pumping Station Road, Quakertown, PA, 18951. (215-536-3343) A funeral service will begin at 11:00AM followed by a graveside service at Woodland Lawn.