Emanuel “Mannie” Joseph Castelluzzo, 77, of Baytown, Texas, passed away in a Houston, Texas, hospital following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Sept. 27, 1932, he was one of four children born to Vincent and Loretta (Calise) Castelluzzo. He married Jean Brandt on Feb. 28, 1965, in Carson City, N.V. Mannie proudly served in the United States Navy for 14 years and later retired from the Army National Guard. He worked in the furniture department for Montgomery Ward, and in later years worked at a Baytown discount store where he always treated customers with a smile.
Mannie and Jean were active members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. He will be remembered for his love of cooking pies and Italian dishes, and never allowing anyone to leave his house hungry. Mannie never met a stranger, and would gladly do anything for anybody.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lori Castelluzzo-Hanna; his son, Roger Otto; and his sister, Rose Clark.
Mannie is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jean Castelluzzo, of Baytown; his children: Iann Ford and husband, Andy, of Key West, Fla., Roxann Linthicum, of Austin, James Castelluzzo, of Massachusets, Leslie Otto and wife, Andrea, of Killeen, Texas, Vincent Castelluzzo and wife, Lori, of Minnesota, Tina Plank and husband, Jeff, of Cypress, Texas, and Anthony Castelluzzo and Connie, of Baytown, Texas; 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; sister, Enza Zollo and husband, Bernie and Vivian McKeown and husband, Jimmy; sisters-in-law: Pearl Nelson and LaVerne Calverley; along with numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends who will deeply miss him.
His family received friends at Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home, 6123 Garth Road-Baytown, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. A service of remembrance was held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Crespo & Jirrels, with Rev. Mike Proctor officiating. Following the service, the visitation continued from 7 to 8 p.m. The interment rites, with military honors, will be 9:30 a.m. today at Houston National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony Castelluzzo, Leslie Otto, Jeff Plank, Kyle Plank, Ryan Plank, Thomas Otto and Jacob Castelluzzo.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Crespo & Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services, 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown, TX 77521, 281.839.0700. To view the obituary or post a tribute to the family, visit www.crespoandjirrels.com.