Manuel "Manolo" Soler

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Manuel "Manolo" Soler Fernández, who passed away at home on September 24, 2025 after a three-year battle with cancer. During the final weeks of his life, Manolo was in the constant company of family who comforted and cared for him.
Born December 29, 1944 in Cerbón, Spain, Manolo was the eldest son of Manuel Soler and Rosario Fernández García-Triviño Soler. At the young age of 16, Manolo joined the military and served Spain with honor for ten years. He served in several areas and volunteered for service in Ifni, a former Spanish colony in Morocco which was a conflict zone at that time.
While later stationed in Mallorca, Manolo met Saskia Vanderlely, a young Dutch citizen who was out riding her horse. That evening, Manolo gathered his trusted companions and performed the time-honored tradition of serenading Saskia mariachi-style below her second story window. Following tradition, Saskia's parents met with the young men outside and offered them drinks. From that point forward, Manolo was a part of Saskia's family.
After marrying Saskia in 1969, the couple had two daughters: Annoesjka and Saskia. In the early 1970s, the family moved to Stuart, Florida, where they joined Saskia's parents who had gone before them. They welcomed a son, Manuel "Hank", a few years later. They eventually divorced but, in their later years, would enjoy reminiscing about the traditional times of their shared youth.
After leaving the military, Manolo worked as a Physical Education Instructor in Spain and then built a career in carpentry and construction in the U.S., where he became a licensed contractor in Florida. He was also a talented artist and an award-winning ballroom dancer, owning studios, teaching, and volunteering in his community. He enjoyed practicing the visual arts and has left behind many drawings, paintings, photographs, and films.
In the late 1990s, Manolo met his second wife, Sheila Hall, who shared his passion for dance. Together, they adopted two of Sheila's great-grandchildren, whom Manolo raised as his own. Dancing, music, and creativity were ever-present in their family life. Though they divorced, he remained committed to the family.
In the final stages of his battle with cancer, Manolo marshalled all his strength and traveled home to Valencia, Spain with his daughter, son, and their spouses. He was welcomed with open arms by his large, loving family, eating, drinking, sharing stories, laughing, walking the streets and seeing many sights of his youth. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Manolo loved life, enjoyed family and friends, cooking and eating good food, taking in the beauty of the world, listening to music, dancing, and studying history, especially that of his homeland. He started life under the authoritarian Franco regime and came to know a life of freedom and abundance in the United States.
Well-known for his handlebar mustache and Greek fishing hat, Manolo was a popular man who made friends easily. He danced as if floating on air, charmed the ladies, and always had a good joke for the men. He was an artist and a gentleman. He will be missed by all.
Manolo was preceded in death by his daughter, Saskia Stockwell (Chris), of Tallahassee, Florida; father, Manuel Pedro Soler Cabrera; mother, Rosario Fernández García-Triviño Soler, both of Valencia, Spain; sister, Susana Soler Fernández, of Valencia, Spain; and brother, Francisco Jesús "Paco" Soler Fernández, of Alaquàs, Spain.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his three children, Saskia Vanderlely, of Okeechobee, Florida; daughter, Annoesjka Videtich (Ryan), of Rothbury, Michigan; son, Manuel "Hank" Soler (Shayne), of Okeechobee, Florida; second former wife, Sheila Soler; their adopted daughters, La-nya and Serenity Soler, all of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; Spain; brothers, Pedro Manuel Soler Fernández (Marisa), Armando Rómulo Soler Fernández (Mari), Jesus Soler Fernández, and David Soler Fernández, all of Valencia, Spain; sisters, Rosario Soler Fernández, of Mallorca, Spain and Eva Soler Fernández of Navarra, Spain; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends all over the world.
No services are currently planned.
Those wishing to leave a message of condolence may sign the register book at, www.OkeechobeeFuneralHome.com.
All arrangements are entrusted to the direction and care of the Buxton Okeechobee Funeral Home, 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida, 34972.