Manuel E. "Manny" Salinas

Manuel (Manny) E. Salinas, 52, a lifelong resident of South Windsor, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2026, after a valiant battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 23 years, Mariela, and his three loving children, Lucas, Sofia, and Simon.

Manny was born in Hartford, CT on October 20, 1973, to his caring parents Manuel R. and Rosa (Sotomayor) Salinas of East Windsor. He graduated from South Windsor High School, class of 1991, and continued to maintain friendships with many of his classmates throughout his life. He was the nucleus of his friend group because he loved and included all kinds of people no matter their profession, appearance, or status in life. He planned poker nights, mini reunions during the holidays, and had a weekend open-door policy to anyone who wanted to come over and watch whatever big sporting event was happening (especially football Sundays). Manny was not only the life of the party, he was the glue that kept everyone together with his warm personality and unmatched sense of humor.

Manny was a graduate of University of Hartford and earned his MBA from Cambridge College. He proudly spent the last 18 years of his career at Torrco Supply Company doing work he was passionate about, surrounded by colleagues who became family. Manny's work ethic and jovial nature made an impact with his coworkers and clients that is everlasting. His Torrco family said Manny was a bright light to everyone who knew him and they could always count on him to bring positivity to any situation. He also made a lasting impression at his initial interview, with his first boss saying, "His enthusiasm for life is what impressed us the most. He loved his work and it became obvious his infectious personality was best suited for a sales role." His dear friend and Torrco president, Chris Fasano, said in a letter to employees, "Manny did almost every sales job in the company-outside sales, regional sales manager, marketing, and most recently as branch manager in East Windsor. Manny's leadership in East Windsor brought remarkable growth. He achieved this by putting his team first. Manny was fiercely loyal to his customers too, never letting an opportunity go without a fight. (He won a lot of them!)"

Manny enjoyed dancing, a good party, hot fudge sundaes, and golfing-often joking, "I may not hit them long, but I always hit them straight!" There wasn't much Manny didn't enjoy but he had a special love for summer days spent outside vacuuming the pool-beer in hand; '80s music playing-fully committed to the task in his Baywatch tank top. Somehow, the pool was never quite finished, but Manny always was. But the thing he loved most of all was spending time with his beautiful family, especially Sunday mornings when he could treat them to his famous French toast, bacon, and sunny side up eggs. He cherished their many vacations, day trips, partaking in his children's various interests, and Italian family dinners at home, or at his in-laws, who he truly adored.

In addition to his wife, children, and parents, Manny is survived by his sister, Cynthia Salinas of Coventry, his loving father and mother-in-law, Mario and Angela Vignone of South Windsor, and his nieces and nephew.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 9:00 –11:00 a.m. at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor, with a memorial service to begin at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. At the request of his family, burial will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Yale Cancer Center, P.O. Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519-0611. In the memo, please include: In memory of Manuel "Manny" Salinas - Oncology Special Use Fund.