Manuel Alfonso López

Manuel Alfonso López, beloved son, brother, father and grandfather, known and loved as Manny, has gone home at 65 years young.  He was born in The Lower East Side of Manhattan.  Third child of María and Manuel López.  Bro, as I called him, is survived by his mother, María López, sister Migdalia Meléndez, whom he lovingly called "The Magster", Adela López, whom he had a special bond with,  Maria López Wolfe, Josephine Pérez, and his God-Mother Milagros López.  His beloved daughter Lizzette Lòpez and the grandchildren he adored: Naomi Parker, Laila Figueroa, and Ethan Figueroa. His beloved daughter Cristina Márquez and beloved grand children: Marysol Sepulveda, Leslie Sepulveda, Elva Sepulveda, Jasmine Sepulveda.  Nephews: Steven López, Jesse Michael Meléndez, and nephew and godson Michael Tito López.  Niece, Bianca Nancy Rosario.  He also leaves many adored cousins.  Father Manuel López, brother Juan López, and sister Nancy López Vélez, preceeded Manny in death.  He was born during a heatwave on a Sunday, in The Lower East Side of Manhattan. He was a die hard Yankee fan, just like our father.  He was a beloved gym teacher at IS190 in the Boogie Down Bronx.  He had a wonderful relationship with former principal, Ms. Santiago.  The current principal before Manny retired is Mr. Castella McKenzie, whom I met when he visited Manny at the hospital, also admired and respected Manny.  Manny was loved and respected by his students. I am surprised because although he was a gym teacher he would assign reports from his students for extra credit!  Manny was an artist since a little boy.  He painted his gym with beautiful colors and designs of his own.  He won a city grant for his school and they erected a state of the art playground/exercise space designed by Manny!  He was so proud and happy for his kids.  He participated and assisted his students with special projects like the Puerto Rican Heritage Assemby.  I'm sure his students will recall and share those special memories on this page. Manny would keep me on the phone for hours talking about his students.  He loved his job and especially his students. Manny is also a veteran of the US Army.  As Manny would say, "Live Long and Prosper!"