Ray Manza died reluctantly May 10, 2026 at home at Manzaritaville in the Forgotten Mile between Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches. He spent 32 summers and his final year there, just a quick walk from where the Atlantic Ocean meets the sand at Chicago Street, where he enjoyed many beach naps in the No Talk Zone, and decades of swimming and sandcastles with his wife, children, grandchildren, and scores of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Born in 1946 to Erasmus and Marie Manza, this kid from Seaford, Long Island travelled the world. He found his lifelong friends at Alfred University where he played sports and made questionable choices. He spring breaked in Florida, drank Russian vodka on the overnight train from Moscow to Leningrad, photographed elephants and lions on an African safari, clapped along with trad music in Ireland, walked the Great Wall of China, climbed (some of) Machu Picchu, twirled pasta and raised glasses in Rome, Tuscany, Provence, Paris, Prague, London, St. John, Cabo, Santorini, Xcaret Mexico, and Disney World. His favorite spot was anywhere he visited with people he loved to enjoy food, wine, art, culture, and laughter.
Ray was a lifelong NY sports fan and spent many hours yelling at the television when the Giants lost, and gleefully listening to Philly Sports Radio when the Eagles lost. After graduating from Alfred University (Go Saxons) and working on Wall Street for JPMorgan, his career brought him and his family to Hockessin Delaware in the 1980s. Over the years, he joined St. Mary of the Assumption parish and several golf clubs, cheered on the AI Tigers and the Fightin’ Blue Hens (his children’s alma maters), and worked for Blair, Affinity Wealth, and Wesley College, where he earned his MBA.
In his later years, if he wasn’t watching the business news, he was engaging in political commentary online, solving the NYT daily puzzles, or accidentally butt dialing you. He was a longtime fan of regional theatre and live music, an avid reader, a wine collector of high regard, and the kind of Catholic that supported Pope Francis and Pope Leo.
In addition to lifelong Alfred brothers, the best West Riding neighbors, Legatus and Cornerstone friends, and others who will miss his wordle updates and irreverent humor, he leaves behind his loving family including Maureen, his wife of 54 years; his younger sister Elaine; daughters Traci Murphy (Colin) and Carey Manza (Mike Lennon), son Brian, three grandchildren Mallory, Brian and Finn Murphy, and an extended family of the best cousins and double cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Ray golfed with presidents (of fraternities and nations). He lectured at colleges and has been lectured at by his wife and children, and through it all, his faith was a steady guide. He cared deeply about helping those less fortunate and served on several non-profit Boards over the years. If you’d like to honor his memory, please consider a gift to the Community Resource Center in Rehoboth Beach.
His life will be celebrated at Mass at 10:30 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 on Tuesday May 19, 2026. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at Chandler Funeral Home, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, May 18, 2026. Interment will be private.
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