Roland "Rolly" Manzi, 94, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at his home in Woodbury with his beloved wife Beatrice (Santagati) Manzi and his family by his side. Rolly was born June 17, 1922, in Waterbury, the son of the late Gaetano Manzi and Rosalie (Deschino) Manzi.
Rolly graduated from Woodbury High School in 1940 and worked as a chef and waiter at the family restaurant (Manzi's) both before and after his service during World War II. During the war he was assigned to a special group to study engineering at Mississippi State College and later served with the 1567th Engineer Depot Company stationed in England, France, & Belgium. After the war he came home and, as he described it, achieved his greatest accomplishment in life by meeting and marrying his soul mate, Bea. He became a real estate broker and licensed insurance agent and joined his wife, Bea and his brother, Edward, in establishing Woodbury Insurance Agency. The three of them worked together for over 50 years.
Rolly loved showing and selling real estate and many of his clients became good friends, as well as clients of the insurance agency. In 1981, Rolly was voted Realtor of the Year for the Litchfield County Board of Realtors and was elected President of the organization in 1984. Rolly loved his home town of Woodbury and in addition to his active business and family life, he was a member of the St. Theresa's Holy Name Society (Men's Club), American Legion Post 155, and the Woodbury Republican Town Committee and because he loved to sing, the Woodbury Male Chorus, the Woodbury Town Players, and the St. Theresa's Choir. In his later years he became a snow bird and spent much of the winter with his friends at Penthouse Highlands in Florida.
Rolly loved the Lions Club and was very proud to be a member of such a wonderful group. He served the club in many capacities over 56 years including secretary and president. In 1995, he was honored to receive the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest award given by the Lions Club International Foundation for his dedicated humanitarian services. Rolly remained an active Lion until his death.
Besides his wife of 69 years, Rolly is survived by his daughters Louise Manzi-Gray and her companion, Walter Deptula of Westbrook, Rosalie Manzi-Platt and her husband, John (Dan) Platt of Woodbury; his grandchildren, Sean Gray and his wife, Allison Pianka-Gray of Naugatuck, Morgan Gray of Highland Beach, Florida, Nicole Platt and her companion, Marc Leone of Waterbury, Daniel Platt of Woodbury, Ashley Deptula of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Shannon Serrano and her husband, Armando Serrano of Somerset, South Dakota, Danielle Deptula of West Hartford; his greatgrandchildren, Aiden and Madison Serrano, Isabella Leone, and Theodore James, his brother, Edward Manzi and his wife, Dorothy of Columbiana, Alabama and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his son Roland Manzi, Jr, his sister, Louise Manzi, and his brothers, Thomas Manzi and Vincent Manzi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 3, at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 146 Main St. S., Woodbury. Burial of the cremains will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Roland Manzi Sr. and Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, Woodbury Scholarship Fund Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 716, Woodbury, CT 06798-0716, https://woodbury.dollarsforscholars.org Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Teresa's Church

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9: 30 a.m. Saturday, December 3, at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 146 Main St. S., Woodbury. Burial of the cremains will be held at the convenience of the family.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.