Manuel Zaiac

1929 - 2026

Manuel "Manny" Zaiac passed away peacefully at his home in Bay Harbor, Florida, on Saturday, February 7, 2026.



Manny was born on November 28, 1929, in Havana, Cuba. In 1943, he immigrated with his family to Miami Beach, where he would go on to build an extraordinary life defined by perseverance, intellect, and deep devotion to family and community. He attended Miami Beach Senior High School and later earned both his law degree and accounting degree from the University of Miami - the beginning of a distinguished professional career.



While in Cuba, Manny met Hilda, the love of his life, who was also from Havana. They married in 1953 and shared 72 wonderful years together, building their life in Miami Beach and creating a home grounded in love, strength, and unwavering commitment to family.



Manny was a highly regarded attorney, Certified Public Accountant, and beloved professor at the University of Miami, where he taught accounting for more than 40 years. He was known for his brilliant mind, integrity, and dedication to helping others navigate complex challenges. One of the proudest chapters of his career was assisting newly arrived Cuban exiles in securing U.S. tax benefits for property and businesses they had lost under the Castro regime - work that blended his professional expertise with his deep compassion for his community.



A firm believer in hard work and perseverance, Manny lived by his motto: "Keep Punching." He had an insatiable curiosity about the world and a lifelong love of classical music and the arts. He also had a passion for travel and once promised Hilda that they would "see the world." Together, they did just that, traveling to more than 185 countries over the course of their 72 years of marriage.



Above all else, Manny's greatest pride and joy was his family. He was the cherished patriarch whose guidance, values, and encouragement shaped generations. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, taking deep interest in their lives, dreams, and accomplishments.



Manny is survived by his devoted wife, Hilda Zaiac; his four children: Marcia Wasser (Dan Wasser), Dr. Martin Zaiac (Cindy Zaiac), Joanne Zaiac (Bob Coven), and Lisa Kauffman (Ron Kauffman). He is also lovingly remembered by his 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren: Maddie Wasser (Jesse Capell), Caryn Wasser (Jed Steiner), Melissa Wasser (Michael Allen), Olivia Zaiac, Max Zaiac, Andrew Zaiac, and Jeri Klemme Zaiac (daughter-in-law), Samantha Ehrlich (Jason Ehrlich), Josh Coven (Isabel Rubinstein), Erica Coven, Jake Kauffman, Matt Kauffman, and Scott Kauffman (Artemis Siavelis); and his great-grandchildren, Jones Ehrlich and Sasha Ehrlich. Manny is also survived by his brother Dr. Nardo Zaias, and his nieces Raquel Zaias, Julie Zaias, Jayne Kaplan, and Debbie Belkov.



Manny believed deeply in giving back and was committed to philanthropy throughout his life, including steadfast support for Israel, Temple Beth Sholom, and The Greater Miami Jewish Federation.



He will be remembered for his wisdom, strength, generosity, and the steady presence that anchored his family. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the love he shared, and the lives he touched.



Donations in memory of Manny can be made to The Manuel Zaiac Adult Education Fund for Temple Beth Sholom, Miami Beach (https://tbs.shulcloud.com/form/donation-funds) or to the Jewish National Fund at (https://jnf.org).