"In Loving Memory of a great friend. Was a big part of my life at Lawndale California and North American. You will be missed. Prayers and condolences sent to family. Love Rudy & Evelyn Nunez"
In loving memory of
Manuel Baeza Frias
Manuel Baeza Frias (Manny) 75 has left us to be with our Lord on March 13, 2019.
He succumbed to cancer at the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. Manuel was born the only son of (3) children, on April 21, 1943 in Marfa,Texas.
Leaving to mourn his passing, his Love, his partner, Juanita Carrasco; sister Lydia Strickland of Costa Mesa Ca., Granddaughter Elena Carrasco, daughter Cynthia G. Lopez of Las Cruces NM, her children; his grandchildren, Noreen Lopez, Maricella Guerra, Luciano Frias, Gabbi Mata, her children; his great grandchildren; Jullian, Andre and Laila Mata. His son Christopher R. Frias, wife, Rachelle Rios of Fullerton Ca, their children, his grandchildren, Valeri Frias, Dominic Frias, Christopher Frias jr. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, family members, friends and colleagues.
Manny, as he was known, was man of academics and high honors. He was a great man with many accomplishments, high ambitions and very little belief in limitations. He served as a paratrooper in the United States Army with 101st Divison. After his honorable service in the army he moved to California, where he met his wife Mary Romero and started a family. Manny was a devoted family man, he worked hard to provide for his family while completing his college education where he graduated from Cal State Fullerton, with a Bachelor's Degree and onto USC where he received his Master's Degree. He was a pioneer in the Affirmative Action Program initiated in the college system to support fair and equality for minorities. Spent most of his career in the field of education; Served as Financial Aids Counselor at El Camino College, District Human Resources Director for Coast Community College District. Throughout his career he was a mentor to many around him and truly touched those who came across his path. After his retirement from the college system, he founded his own consulting firm MBF and Associates (CA); The Sereno Group (Az), with a group of friends and colleagues,where he was instrumental in leading many initiatives for Latino empowerment through higher education where he has left an everlasting impression with all those that he came across.
Proceeded in death by his wife Mary M. Frias, his father Valente and mother Marcella Frias, his sister Esperanza Flores, and grandson Mathew Frias.
A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for:
Wednesday, 4/3 Rosary @ 6:00 pm
Mortuary:
Hansen Mortuary
6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
Thursday, 4/4 Mass @ 11:00 am. Followed by funeral:
Church:
St. Joan of Arch
3801 E Greenway
Phoenix Az 85032
Cemetery:
Military Veterans Cemetery
23029 Cave Creek Rd
Phoenix Az. 85024
Reception following the funeral:
St. Joan of Arch Church
Tributes
"At this difficult time, may you find strength, peace and comfort in your loving memories."
"I just want to let you, the family know, how saddened I am to hear of Manny's passing. I worked with him for many years at the University of New Mexico where he brought the Latino Summit to the University of New Mexico several different years and made a difference for many Latinos throughout universities nationwide. Every time we spoke he was very positive and I always thought very highly of him. He was a man of integrity and I respected him very much. When we last spoke earlier this year he was still Manny, very positive and happy. I will remember him fondly ... always."