He was born on May 14, 1937, in Greeley, CO, the son of John H. and Dominga (Penaflor) Manzano, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961. He married Linda Grossman on February 10, 1962, in Sterling. She died March 2, 2022. John worked as a machinist at Northwestern Steel and Wire Co for over 35 years. He was the owner of the former Manzanos Restaurant and the Poison Apple in Sterling in the 1970’s. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He enjoyed carpentry work and golfing, and was proud of the hole-in-one he had at the Erie Golf Course.
Survivors include his children: Tracey Manzano Deyo of Sterling, Tony (Kelly) Manzano of Austin, TX and Ted (Patty) Manzano of Batavia; brothers: Jube (Sylvia) Manzano of Sterling and Ben Manzano of El Paso, TX; sisters: Dolly (Israel) Rodriguez and Caroline (Ray) Torres both of Sterling, Annette Vancil of Dixon, Angie Portillo of El Paso, TX, Ruth Cuevas of Dallas, TX, Mary Hartzell of Coconut Creek, FL and Laura (Fran) Adams of Silvis; six grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Linda.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 10:45 AM at the McDonald Funeral Home, 505 1st Avenue in Sterling. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM in St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will conclude at Calvary Cemetery.
