Manuel Aponte, 87, Enjoyed Gardening and Spending Time with Family

He was born January 12, 1923 in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. He came to Lorain in 1952.

Mr. Aponte retired in 1972 from foundry of the Cleveland Engine Plant #1, in Brookpark. He worked there for 25 Years.

Manuel was a member of Sacred Heart Chapel, Lorain. He was also a member of the United Auto Workers Local 1250, Brookpark.

He was an avid NY Yankees fan. He enjoyed working in his garden and playing dominos, but his most cherished moments were spending time with his grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by his sons David and John Aponte of Simi Valley, California, Manuel (Chong) Aponte of Corpus Christi, Texas, Hector (Tina) Aponte of Niceville, Florida and James (Mari) Aponte of Lorain; daughters Elizabeth (Richard) Flores of Lorain, Nancy (Miguel) Rivera of Wakeman, Evelyn (Dan) Oliver of Avon Lake; brother Andres Aponte of Lorain and a sister Rogelia Aponte of Yabucoa.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years Marianna Aponte (nee Ruiz) in 1999; parents Gabino Aponte in 1982 and Dominga Diaz in 1979; son Nelson Aponte in 1994 and his brother Santos Aponte Diaz in 2009.

His family will receive friends Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain (440) 277-8164. Where closing prayers will be Friday at 8:45 A.M. in the funeral home then Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 A.M. in Sacred Heart, 4201 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Rev. Father Manuel Cordova of El Salvador will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.