Elisa “Aunt Lee” Manzo

Elisa Manzo (nee Acquaviva), age 87 of Montville, NJ died peacefully on Saturday, August 20, 2022. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Lee” to many.

Elisa was born and raised in the Riverside section of Paterson and graduated from Eastside High School. It was in high school that she met the one and only lover of her life, Frank Manzo. They married on October 3, 1955, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson. They lived in Paterson for a few more years before establishing their family home in West Paterson. Elisa and Frank loved going to the Jersey Shore and lived in Fort Lauderdale for many years together. Elisa was blessed with very strong, loving relationships during her lifetime, and despite the painful losses she experienced, she remained grateful for all of her blessings. When she had spare time Elisa loved reading and crocheting.

Family meant everything to Elisa and the family home on “Maple Ave.” was always a hub of activity. Having many people over for Sunday dinner was commonplace, and her children always had friends and cousins over.  Elisa shared her love through her cooking and she knew everyone’s favorite dish. If you showed up unannounced, no problem! There was always another pound of pasta to be cooked and plenty of gravy on the stove. Later in life, she became a devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren and loved doing everything and anything she could with them. They each have cherished memories with their grandma.

For many decades, Aunt Lee Greeted guests at The Brownstone.  Her entire life was family, friends, and The Brownstone. Right up to her last day, she asked Edie to call Denise at The Brownstone to advise her that she wouldn’t be in on Sunday.  Working with her nephews, Al, Tommy, Kenny and her niece Patty, made her look forward to work.

Elisa is survived by her daughter; Edie Manzo-Calvitti and her husband William, daughter-in-laws; Judy Manzo, and Linda Manzo, six grandchildren; Aja Cohen and her husband Evan, Michael Calvitti and his wife Megan, Albert Manzo and his wife Alycia, Christopher Manzo and his girlfriend Brittany Tanis, Gabriella Manzo and her boyfriend Jacob Sturt, and Adam Manzo, five great-grandchildren; Raina, Shua, Abigail, Levi, and Ace, and many loving and devoted nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Ida Giannella, husband Frank in 1990, by her son Frank in 2004, by her son Albert in 2022, and by her friend and cousin, Elsie Orlando in 2017.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be sincerely appreciated to the “Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament School” at 785 Franklin Lakes Rd., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. Please be sure to note “Elisa Manzo” in the memo field. Thank you.