1298 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY
646.968.4777
It is with the heaviest hearts that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of a beloved member of our staff, our dearest friend, “Manny” Emmanuel Ramirez, due to complications of the heart and Kidneys.
Manny, only 46 years old , leaves behind a wife, daughter and son and a lot of broken hearts who now mourn him.
A “Go Fund Me” has been created in Manny’s honor.
Please help Manny’s family with a donation.
Thank you,
Dom & Kim Ungaro
They called him ‘Manny,’ loved his humor – and his pizza. Emmanuel Ramirez Diaz, a pizzaiolo in Port Richmond, dies at 46.
By Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Pizzaiolo Emmanuel Ramirez Diaz, 46, known for his quick wit and funny one-liners, passed away Monday, Dec. 9, at Lenox Hill Hospital surrounded by family.
Known as “Manny” by close friends and colleagues at Ungaro Coal-Fired Pizza Cafe, he succumbed to complications from Infective endocarditis.
His pizzeria co-workers called him “a master at his craft” and “a true artist.”
On Oct. 8, 1978, Emmanuel Ramirez was born in the town of Tilzapotla in Morelos, Mexico. He was the second youngest of five children of humble parents.
In 1995 at the age of 17, Emmanuel Ramirez arrived in the United States. He was intent on learning English and became fluent over time.
By the age of 20, he met Verónica Berrocal. They were married Dec. 9, 2000. Manny died Dec. 9, 2024, the day of their 24th wedding anniversary.
Remembered as a hard-working family man, friends also shared his love for Mexican music, particularly that of the ranchera genre and Amor Prisionero.
Restaurant co-owner Kim Ungaro said, “Manny’s trade was a professional pizzaiolo. The pizzeria was his second home and his coworkers were his extended family and best friends. They were his brothers.”
She said, “He was a proud and loving family man. His wife, son, and daughter were everything to him. His beautiful family was his first priority. Manny cherished his Mondays off and called it his ‘family day.’ He especially loved his Monday family dinners.”
She added, “Manny deserves to be remembered as a good-hearted person, who always gave the best of himself. He was a cheerful, kind and respectful man. He was always the first to lend a helping hand.”
The restaurant workers started a GoFundMe at Mannysgofundme.com To help his family.
Emmanuel Ramirez leaves behind his wife and two children, son Joshua Ramírez and daughter, Yarani Ramírez, both in their 20s. He is survived by his mother and four sisters, plus many nieces and nephews.
