Michael Xavier Manzi was born March 14, 1984 at Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA to the loving parents of Dr. Lincoln & Pamela Manzi. He was welcomed into the world by his adoring sister, Marilyn Dyan Manzi.
As a toddler, he was curious, fun loving, and displayed deep affection especially for his mother. He spent his pre-school and elementary school years at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. For six years, he and Marilyn played on the same little league baseball team; this brought great joy to many people, most notably his family.
Mike excelled in school, graduating from Laguna Hills High School in 2002. His interests and activities during these years included surfing, skateboarding, hockey, lacrosse, mastering the guitar, and spending Saturday afternoons boxing at The Westminster Gym.
His education took him to UC Santa Cruz, from which he graduated with a BA in Economics. While on spring break, surfing in Tahiti, he was attracted to a beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated polish woman with whom he fell in love. He courted her multiple trips to Poland, finally convincing her to move to Santa Cruz, CA. This union produced a delightful boy, named Martin after Kate's deceased brother.
Subsequently, they returned to Poland where a traditional Catholic marriage took place.
Mike truly enjoyed music, poetry, and philosophy; his most prized possessions were his books. Any spare funds went towards his library, not his wardrobe.
He suffered from what was eventually diagnosed as Bipolar I disease. He led a nomadic existence for the past four years living throughout Europe, driving 18 wheelers around the USA, working in restaurants in Hawaii, etc. When it became too much of a struggle, he returned to live with his father a year ago.
Being in the kitchen had always brought Mike great joy. As life began to appear hopeful, he enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu Academy in Hollywood, CA in pursuit of a Culinary degree; he was still a student at the time of his passing.
Thank you for your thoughts & prayers.
Love,
The Manzi Family
The Manzi Family