Emanuel Barroso's Obituary
Emanuel “Manny” Barroso left this Earth on September 20, 2022 after a remarkable 94-year run. He was convinced he was left here by aliens as a guardian-protector for us lesser humans. In his most trying times, he would regularly look to the sky, promising he would be good if they would just come back to get him. His prayers were finally answered, and the spaceship he repeatedly reminded everyone would eventually come back finally returned to take him home.
A lifelong resident of Tampa, Manny was born on September 29, 1927, the middle child of three sons born to Gustavo and Hortensia (née Otero). He was married to Emily Barroso (née Tumminia) for 35 years, raising three children and living in the same house in West Tampa since 1955.
He joined the United States Merchant Marines to serve his country in World War II, lying about his age so he could enlist. He sailed around the world, rode camels in Egypt, swam to shore off the coast of Panama to get some hooch, and spent some time in jail in Australia (he said it was nice). During his service, he developed his unique wit. Waking up
one day at sea, he noticed the rest of the ships in his convoy were nowhere in sight. When he asked where the other ships were, he was informed that his ship was the one hauling gunpowder. In response, he asked “why can’t we be hauling carrots?”
His was an unrivaled work ethic, serving as a civil engineer for the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County for 28 and 30 years respectively, finally retiring at age 82. You probably drive on one of his roads or bridges every day.
His skills and interests knew no bounds. He was an HVAC engineer, a 1st rate auto mechanic, a tremendous cook, a dedicated fisherman, a brewer of pineapple wine, a horticulturalist, and a professional boxer at any number of Tampa establishments when circumstances or honor required it.
Manny is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Luis (“Kitti”) and John, and his eldest daughter, Dahlia (“Dee”). Manny is survived by his son, Gustavo Barroso (Grace) and his daughter Marrisa Jagger (Kenneth); his grandchildren, Jason J. Quintero (Tricia), Kasey Lynn Jagger, Kenneth
Lee Jagger, Jr., and Alexis Jagger-Wilkes (Rob); nephew Louis Barroso (Ruth); nieces Ileana Quijano (Herman), Darlene Jerez, Brenda McCarthy (Bob), and Melinda Barroso; and dear companion Diane Perez.
Manny was one of a kind. There will never be another like him. Perhaps the spaceship will bring him back. The world would be far more interesting for it.
The family will receive visitors on Monday, October 3, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Boza and Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL 33603. Requiem Mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 15520 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33613 on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with interment at Myrtle Hill Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Manny’s name to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, NY 11024 (https://www.usmmaalumni.com/)
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