Manuel Gaona, Jr., age 54, lovingly referred to as “Little Manuel” to his close family and friends, was called home on Thursday, April 12, 2018.
Little Manuel was born on Nov. 11, 1963 in Miami, Arizona to Marylou Madrid and Manuel C. Gaona, Sr.
He was baptized into the Catholic Church at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church where he would also complete his First Holy Communion as a young boy.
He was a loving father to three daughters, Megan (Gaona) Hansford, Destinee Gaona and Danessa (Gaona) Curiel.
Little Manuel had a big heart and would do anything to help someone in need. He would literally give his last dollar and the shirt off his back to anyone in need, even if that was all he had in his name.
He was a prankster and would love getting a good laugh at a joke or stirring the pot and giving someone a hard time.
He was a strong, hard working man and provider for his family.
His love and passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors began at an early age.
Little Manuel would pass along his passion and knowledge of hunting to his daughters, friends and family or anyone wanting to learn. He loved to go spear fishing in the river where he would catch catfish up to his waist in length.
He worked as a union carpenter out of the L.U. 408 in Phoenix, Ariz. He helped build the Roosevelt Dam, Bartlett Dam, Bank One Ball Park (Chase Field) and many freeways and bridges across the valley along with many other structures. He even did some out-of-state work in California, Colorado and Washington.
Little Manuel is preceded in death by his beloved grandfather, Ralph Gaona.
He is survived by his loving girlfriend, Lupe Valdez and her son, Rey; his grandmother, Belia Gaona; his mother, Marylou Madrid; his father, Manuel C. Gaona, Sr.; his brother, Danny (Lisa) Gaona; his sister, Tina Gamboa; his sister, Morgan Gaona; his brother, Damien Gaona; his sister, Priscilla Gaona; his daughters, Megan (Matt) Hansford, Destinee (Blaine Fitzgerald) Gaona and Danessa (Frank) Curiel; six grandbabies; three god-children; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Little Manuel was loved by so many and he will be greatly missed every day!
A silent prayer in Little Manuel’s honor will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church located at 844 W. Sullivan St., Miami, Arizona.
A Rosary will follow at 9:30 a.m. with the Memorial Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Family and friends are encouraged to visit the online memorial at www.BulmanMiles.com.
