Beatrice S Manzi

Beatrice “Bea” Manzi, 93, passed away after a long illness on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Gladeview Health Care Center in Old Saybrook with her daughter Louise Manzi-Gray by her side. Bea was preceded in death in 2016 by her husband of 69 years, Roland (Rolly) Manzi. Bea was born September 29, 1928, in Waterbury, the daughter of the late Rocco Santagati and Mary (Migliorisi) Santagati.

Bea graduated from Crosby High School in 1946. Bea was a force of nature from as early as high school when she broke an engagement that was arranged by her family. She later became a successful businesswoman in an era in which it was not only unusual but also went against cultural norms. In her senior year of high school, she was introduced to the man who would later become the love of her life by her best friend and his cousin, Leonora (Manzi) Hinson. She and Rolly had three children, whom she loved without reservation. Bea became a licensed insurance agent and real estate broker and joined her husband, Rolly and his brother, Edward, in establishing Woodbury Insurance Agency. The three of them worked together for over 50 years. In the late 60s, Woodbury Insurance purchased DeCicco Travel & Insurance Agency in Waterbury and Bea managed both businesses until Woodbury Insurance sold the Waterbury agency and purchased Southbury Insurance, both of which Bea continued to manage. Bea especially enjoyed her time as a travel agent as it allowed her and Rolly to take amazing trips. She’d say that she and Rolly had really been married for longer than 69 years because they worked and traveled together for most of their lives.

Bea was a loving and wonderful parent and was known for her kindness and generosity to her family, friends, and community. In addition to her very active family, social, and business life, Bea was a member of the Woodbury Business Association including serving terms as treasurer and president. She was also a member of the Southbury Business Association where she served as Scholarship chairman for many years. She was a member of the Advisory Board for Colonial Bank and the Community Advisory Board for Vocational Education, which worked with the Guidance Office at Nonnewaug High School.  In her later years, Bea became a snowbird and spent much of the winter with her husband and friends at Penthouse Highlands in Florida.

Beatrice is survived by her daughters Louise Manzi-Gray and her loving companion, Walter Deptula of Westbrook, Rosalie Manzi-Platt and her husband, John (Dan) Platt of Woodbury; her grandchildren, Sean Gray and his wife, Allison Pianka-Gray of Naugatuck, Morgan Gray of Middletown, Nicole Jock and her husband Daniel Jock of Waterbury, Daniel Platt of Enfield, Shannon Serrano of Vero Beach, Florida, Danielle Pokrandt and her husband Andrew Pokrandt of Vero Beach, Florida; her great-grandchildren, Aiden, Madison, and  Harper Serrano, Isabella Leone, Callie Rose Jock, and Theodore James, her sister Margaret Giustino of Milford and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her son Roland Manzi, Jr, her brother, Carl Santagati, and her sister, Leonore (Santagati) Giustino, and her granddaughter, Ashley Deptula.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Prince of Peace Church (St. Teresa of Avila), 146 Main St. S., Woodbury.  Burial of the cremains will follow at the North Cemetery, 87 Washington Ave., Woodbury.  There are no calling hours. 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).

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