Manny Iosepovici was born Manos Dolphie Iosepovici on April 28, 1938 to Samuel and Ernestina in Iasi, Romania. After his father was killed during World War II, Manny’s family was sent to live with his aunt in Bucharest. Manny was reunited with his mother and older brother in Bucharest, where the three lived modestly. As a young adult, Manny studied railroad engineering at a university and was only a few months from graduating when the family asked for permission to emigrate to Israel, fearing that the Communist regime in Romania would make their difficult life unbearable.
During this time of uncertainty, on August 9, 1959, Manny met Lia Moraru. They fell in love, but Lia’s family left for Israel soon after. Manny’s family followed three years later, and the young couple reunited. They wed on August 9, 1965 and remained each other’s true love for 58 years.
In Israel, Manny served in the IDF and was deployed twice: first, in the Six Day War in 1967, reaching the outskirts of Damascus, Syria during the height of Israeli military success; and again during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where he was stationed in the Sinai Desert for six months in what was an incredibly tense time for the country. He then spent some of his military reservist duty in an area called the Gaza Strip.
Manny and Lia were finally able to build a more comfortable life in Israel. A skilled entrepreneur, Manny built a successful business. He was able to provide bountifully for his family, which included two sons - Zamir, born in 1968, and Oren, born in 1970. He and Lia also traveled all over Europe annually and enjoyed lavish parties with friends and family.
However, Manny did not want his sons to build their lives in a country filled with wars and tension. Manny sold his business and on July 14, 1981, the family arrived in the United States. Manny was 43, with little knowledge of English and no college degree. His dedication to learning provided him with the drive to take an American history class for immigrants, which helped him learn his third language. The family settled in Merrick, New York, and shortly afterwards, Manny opened a stationary store in Rockville Centre, catering to Long Island Railroad commuters. Manny put in 10-12 hour days, 7 days a week for 18 years at that store. Upon his retirement, he took a job at another local stationary store for 15 more years, as he enjoyed rising early each morning and having a place to go where he could be productive.
In early 2020, just weeks before the Covid pandemic, Manny and Lia moved to Riverdale. The freedom from owning a single family house and driving a car finally brought peace to Manny. He enjoyed spending more time with his grandchildren in Westchester, reading the New York Times each day, and playing chess at the local senior center.
Manny is survived by his beloved wife, Lia; his two sons, Zamir and Oren; his daughters-in-law, Kerri and Liane; and his most prideful accomplishment - three beautiful granddaughters, Skylar, Tess and Sage. We are only sorry he did not get his wish to watch all three graduate from college, but we know he will be smiling down at his girls as they reach each of life’s milestones.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 29th 2024 from 10am - 12 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Interment is private.
In lieu of food or flowers, the family asks that those who wish to remember Manny and support them in this time of grief to make a donation to Hillel International (hillel.org) to honor Manny’s wish to support the battle against rising anti-semitism on today’s college campuses.
May his memory be a blessing.