SGM (R) Manuel Cruz Rosario was born in Agana, Guam on September 19, 1945, to Juan and Ana (Cruz) Rosario (both deceased). He spent his early childhood in Barrigada, Guam. After completing grade school and high school in Guam, he joined the Army in March of 1965. He attended basic training and advanced training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. His first assignment was to Neu Ulm, Germany and after two years he received orders for service in Vietnam. In January 1968, he arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to the First Infantry Division in Lai Kai, Vietnam as an Infantry Intelligence & Operations Sergeant. He completed his tour of duty in Vietnam in December 1968.
His assignments after Vietnam were Ft. Benning, Georgia; Stuttgart, Germany; Santa Cruz, California; Dublin, California; Agana, Guam; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, California; El Paso, Texas; and Cincinnati, Ohio. His assignments were mostly in recruiting duty as field recruiter, station commander, first sergeant, operations and training NCO, and finishing off his career as a Battalion Sergeant Major for the Cincinnati Recruiting Battalion. He retired from active duty in June 1987 with 22 years of service.
During his military career, he was awarded the Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation; National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 device; Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 devices; Air Medal w/ 1 device; Meritorious Service Medal w/ 3 devices; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge w/ 1 device; Bronze Star w/ 1 device; US Army Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 devices; Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 devices; Army Good Conduct Medal w/ 7 devices and formal training at ORSA FAM for 1 week and the Noncommissioned Officers Education Systems for 24 weeks, US Army Sergeants Major Academy, an Associate’s Degree from Columbia College and Bachelor’s Degree from San Francisco State University in Business Management and Marketing and was an Outstanding Young Men of America in 1980.
He met his wife Terrie at Naval Station, Guam while working as the Station Commander for the US Army Guam Recruiting Station in 1979. They later got married in Carson City, Nevada on February 27, 1984. They have two sons (John and Chris), two daughters (Valerie and Jessica), 11 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Manny is predeceased by three brothers and survived by four brothers and three sisters. He is additionally survived by numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews who consider Manny as a father figure and the glue of the family.
After retirement from the Army, Manny made Edgewood, Kentucky home. After his wife Terrie retired, they moved to Apollo Beach, Florida. He worked as a Manufacturer’s Representative for plastic processing equipment, which he continued to do for 30+ years.
When Manny wasn’t working, he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife Terrie. They traveled to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, Central America, and more. He also enjoyed carpentry, gardening, biking, computers, and various other skilled trades. Manny and Terrie’s last vacation was to Costa Rica in September of 2022, where they went on many excursions including zip lining, hanging out with monkeys and more. He loved to travel but what he loved most was family. Many spent much of his time bringing the family closer and connecting relatives from all over the globe. He made it his mission to make sure that the next generation could continue with a strong bond that could be passed down through the ages.
Visitation is on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Veterans Funeral Care Funeral Home Chapel, 830 North Belcher Road, Clearwater, Florida followed by funeral service at 4:00 PM with Father Bob Swick (USMC- Captain-Retired “Purple Heart Recipient) and American Legion Post 155 providing Military Honors. The family will then receive family and friends for a reception at the Veterans Funeral Care Home Chapel “Officers Club” following the service.
Funeral mass service is on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St Anne Catholic Church, 106th 11th Avenue N/E, Ruskin, Florida with the Very Reverend John F. McEvoy, VF to officiate.
SGM Rosario’s interment will be a Mass at the “Old Post Chapel” at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, later this year.
Our sincere and deepest condolences and prayers to Terrie, Son Chris and families. May our beloved Manny rest in peace and the eternal light be forever. Sending love and hugs!
Manny was one of my dearest friends and like family. He taught me many things about the plastics industry. Most importantly I learned patience, kindness and compassion from being on many business trips together.
An amazing soldier, father, grandfather, husband, neighbor and most importantly friend and mentor to me.
May we always remember what he represented and accomplished but live the way Manny did. Thank you sir for everything and Til Valhalla warrior…
Dad,
Words can’t express the deep pain in my heart. As the tears roll down my face, I try to flood my brain with all the great times we got to spend together throughout these last 39 years. I’m so glad that we were afforded the opportunity to live close by these last few years and spend more time with you and mom. I will always cherish our Saturday family days and all the countless adventures we went on in such a short amount of time.
You never stopped being a father figure, a mentor, throughout my whole life. You taught me the value of family and how to be a father. You taught me to value life and to never dwell on the bad, but to instead take the bad and learn from it to do better the next time, to never quit and to always fight the good fight. As I navigate being a father I see so much of you in me in the way Jessica and I raise our boys. You will forever be missed but you will never be forgotten. I know you are watching over us now and are at peace.
I love you alway and forever. – Your son.
Til Valhalla, rest easy Sergeant Major.
Our deepest Condolences to Terrie, children and grandchildren and to our Rosario cousins.
May you rest in peace Manny. Manny and I had a lot of “window time” together selling plastic processing equipment. We both spoke about our families a lot. He was very proud and loving on his family! You could not find a better man on this earth in my opinion! I missed our travel time when he left for Fl. With Teri. He deserved his retirement but loved his work. May the lord bless him and keep him.
One of your many friends Joe Amore.
My deepest sympathies to his family
– God bless you all!
To know Manny, was to love Manny. A true loving, kind and compassionate soul. I will never forget how kind he was to Sherman, Dawson and I. He always made us feel like family.
Sending our deepest condolences to each of you. We love you, all.
Love and prayers from Jacob, Maria, Joaquin and Elena Gogue. Sending the family our condolences and love from Colorado. May Uncle Manny rest in peace, and may all those who loved him cherish their memories of him.
Dearest Aunty Terrie, cousins John, Chris, Valerie, Jessica, and all Uncle Manny’s loved ones: Wishing you all love, strength, peace, Sweet Family. Cherish and smile with all the blessed moments you all had together with this wonderful soul we will all miss so very much – Dear Uncle Manny Rosario. We’ll always celebrate his meaningful life and precious memories. Thinking of you all very much. Much love; many kisses and warm hugs.
Dearest Aunty Terrie, cousins John, Chris, Valerie, Jessica, and all Uncle Manny’s loved ones: Wishing you all love, strength, peace, Sweet Family. Cherish and smile with all the blessed moments you all had together with this wonderful soul we will all miss so very much – Dear Uncle Manny Rosario. We’ll always celebrate his meaningful life and precious memories. Thinking of you all very much. Much love; many kisses and warm hugs.
We are saddened to hear of your loss, Manny was a kind and loving soul. Please know how very sorry we are. You’re in our thoughts, our heart, and our prayers. Stan n I are blessed that you both opened your home n friendship to us. If we can help you n family at this time of sadness, we’re here.
Sister Terrie and family, our deepest most sincere condolences for the passing our brother Manny. His sweet kind presence on earth graced all of us; we’ll all miss him greatly. Be consoled in the thoughts he’s joined all our loved one’s since passed from this world, onto heaven. We send our love and affections with Manny onto eternity
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We have not known each other for very long but you will always be a part of our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Our deepest sympathies to Terrie, kids, grandkids and extended family! We first met the Rosario’s at Honeymoon Island Park for a Guam Liberation a few years ago and was very impressed how loving they were to each other and how helpful they were at our Chamorro gatherings. In talking with them, we realized how much fun they had biking…and they sure were in great shape! Rest easy Manny…your presence will be missed! You all are in our prayers!! Karen & Mike Munoz