Manuel was born on June 9, 1922 in the town of Jerez, in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico and grew up in the village of El Huejote, near by his home town. Manuel first came to the United States in 1948 as a contracted farm worker, under the Bracero Program. He worked picking cotton, oranges, lemons and peaches and also worked as a cook. By 1955 Manuel had become a legal resident and by 1965 he became a United States naturalized citizen, of which he was very proud. Once he became a legal resident his dream was to bring his family and it took him ten years of hard work and with his boss's support he was able to accomplish his dream, bringing his wife and children as legal immigrants to the United States.
In 1961 his wife and five children were able to join him, his youngest daughter was born in the United States. Manuel's dream was to support his family and to have a “better” life. He accomplished his dream by supporting his children to attend high school, college and universities. Manuel was a strong man, a story teller, a hard workingman, kind, he had many friends, whom he'd visit and assisted them in whatever he could. He wanted his children to learn to work, to appreciate this country and to value where they were from. Manuel also loved and had nostalgic memories of his home village, and the simple ways of life he knew as he was growing up. He became a good farmer, and he loved to cook. He always would find a way to have a garden, to grow vegetables and flowers year round. Manuel had an admiration for the beauty in nature.
Manuel peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by his family. Preceding him in passing were his wife Ines Tovar Aparicio, his infant son Rosalio Aparicio and his daughter Rosa Aparicio.
Manuel is survived by his children, Manuela Twitchell, Benjamn Aparicio, Lupe Reyes, Aurelia Aparicio Ruvalcaba, Amelia Aparicio, all presently live in Fillmore, California, also survived by 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, his older sister, Maria Reyes, who also resides in Fillmore, his adopted nephew Jordan Head, who lives in Alberta, Canada, plus his nephews, Nilo Aparicio, Manuel Aparicio, Jose Aparicio and their children, all of Fillmore.
Visitation will be held from 2:30pm - 6:30pm, Monday, July 28, 2014 at Faith Community Church, 355 D Street, Fillmore followed with the recitation of the rosary at 7:45pm at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1048 West Ventura Street, Fillmore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30am, Tuesday, July 29, 2014 also at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Arthur Gruszka Officiating. Committal & Interment will follow at Bardsdale Cemetery.
For map and directions to ceremony locations and to sign the family's online guestbook, share stories, and post pictures please visit our website: www.santapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Manuel's name located below "Recent Obituaries".
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned and Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Services, Santa Paula 805.229.7054