Richard ManzellaRichard M. “Rich” Manzella, 45, Normal, passed away on June 2 at Heartland Health Care Center in Normal, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born Oct. 6, 1965, in Chicago, he was the son of Richard and Cathy Manzella. He married Veronica Harcar on June 15, 1996, at St. Stephen’s Church, Streator. She survives in Normal.
He is also survived by his children, Matthew and Jennifer Manzella, Normal; his mother, Cathy Manzella-Hensley, Joliet; sisters, Lorrie (Grady) Bourland, Plainfield, and Julie (Ward) McCloskey, Marseilles; a brother, Joe (Linda) Manzella, Escondido, Calif.; maternal grandmother, Loretta Koren, Bolingbrook; father and mother-in-law, Andrew R. and Maria Harcar, Streator; a sister-in-law, Theresa (Tim) Graves, Streator; a brother-in-law, Andy Harcar, Streator; nieces and nephews, Emma Graves, Kyle McCloskey, Karlee McClosky, Miranda Bourland and Cody Bourland; a great-niece, Taylor Bourland; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Manzella Sr.; stepfather, Paul Hensley Sr.; maternal grandfather, John Koren; paternal grandparents, Frank and Josephine Manzella; and an uncle, Frank Gluting.
Rich was a 1984 graduate of Romeoville High School and a 1988 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a bachelor of science degree in psychology. He also received a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Illinois State University in 1990. He received a juris doctorate from DePaul University in Chicago in 1997.
Rich started the Law Office of Richard M. Manzella, which was a single attorney firm concentrating in employment law since June of 1999 representing plaintiffs in nearly every aspect of their employment. He also had 15 years of supervisory and management experience operating a human resources consulting firm specializing in assessment center design, employee selection, test validation, survey development and analysis, and relational database design and development.
He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He was admitted to the Illinois and Northern District of Illinois Bar in 1999, the Central District of Illinois in 2002 and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2004.
Rich was an avid athlete. He enjoyed the outdoors and was a runner, bicyclist and fisherman; he also participated in races and biathlons.
Rich lost his battle with pancreatic cancer while his wife, Veronica, who was also diagnosed with cancer, was by his side. He was determined to live every minute and she was relentless in her support and encouragement, while raising their 9- and 10-year-old children. He fought like a warrior for each day ... each hour ... each minute so he could have as much time as possible with his family.
He pushed his body to the limit, and he took advantage of every moment with his kids and loved ones. He took the time to share messages with people about how important it is to treasure, value and live each moment to the fullest.
So, his legacy will live on in the example he set as we marvel at his relentless courage. Rich is our hero. If there is one message that loved ones want Rich to know, it would be “You did not lose this battle ... your message and example live on. We love you!!”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for the children’s education, which was extremely important to Rich.
Services have been held.
