Manuel (Manny) S. Aguilera rode his Harley into heaven on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2009, in San Jose, CA. Born on August 25, 1948, in Fresno, CA, Manny was the loving husband of Sandra Aguilera. He is survived by his mother, two daughters, one sister, three brothers, nine grandchildren, and a handful of nieces and nephews.
His first marriage was to PG&E, and it lasted 42 years. As a mechanic and substation foreman, he supervised extremely high voltage conditions and won awards for his safety record.
Family was the number one priority in Manny’s life; what meant most to him was being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son. He was the peacemaker of the family who welcomed anybody into his home. His kind-hearted nature changed his wife Sandy’s life for the better with his empathy for others and his deep love for her. His children will always remember him as a very uplifting person who loved life to the fullest and set a great example for them.
He loved the song, “What a Wonderful World,” and when it played on the radio, he would call Sandy and hold the phone up to the speaker, so they could listen to it together. It was that world he most loved seeing from the back of his Harley. An avid motorcyclist and Niner’s fan, Manny took many trips with his brother, as well as exploring bay area back roads with his wife and enjoying scenic tours throughout the Northwest.
In his last few months of life on earth, Manny experienced an epiphany that renewed and deepened his faith. He is with God now in the loving arms of friends and family.
Visitation will be at Habing Family Funeral Home from 10:00-11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 9, 2010, with services at 11:00 A.M. A reception will follow next door at the Methodist Church. The family requests that donations be made in Manny’s memory to Gilroy United Methodist Church at 7600 Church Street, Gilroy, CA, 95020.
