His personality was magnetic, his smile irresistible and his heart as good as gold - Manuel DelValle, "Manny", as he was known to family and friends, was born on May 25, 1969. He spent his early years in the Bronx attending public school, playing sports, listening to music and roller-skating. After relocating with his family to Boston, he attended Brookline High School where he graduated in 1988. He then went on to attend The University of Maryland, where he earned a degree in 1992.
Manny loved sports from an early age and excelled in baseball, basketball, football, track and wrestling. Always up for a challenge, he even took up skiing; and although he broke his leg once while trying (and became the brunt of quite a few jokes from his college buddies), he stuck with it. That was Manny, going for it - living life to the fullest - not afraid of challenges. It was that spirit that made him immensely popular. In addition to maintaining all of the friendships he'd made over the years, he was never short of attracting new friends due to his good looks, charming personality, sense of humor, love of sports, dancing and music. He loved people...and they loved him.
The importance of family was most evident in his close relationships with each member, but especially with his mother, Gricel Zayas-Moyer (a nurse at Boston Medical Center); father, Manuel DelValle, Sr. (a retired NYPD officer); step-father, Peter Moyer (Boston EMS Medical Director); sister, Grace Nolly DelValle and brothers, Robert DelValle and Peter Moyer, Jr.
In 1994, Manny joined the New York City Fire Department's Engine Co. 5. As usual, Manny fit right in. He was a dedicated firefighter who was on his way to becoming a Lieutenant. He quickly became not only a favorite amongst his "brothers" at the firehouse, but also to the kids in the community, who frequently came looking for him because they knew how much fun he was and that he would let them play on the fire engine, tour the firehouse or simply make them laugh. At his urging, Engine Co. 5 participated in New York's famous Puerto Rican Day Parade. Manny was extremely proud of his heritage and often attended the annual celebration with friends. As one put it, Manny looked like "a Puerto Rican (Mayor) Guiliani" as he made his way through the crowd.
On September 11, 2001, at the age of 32, Manny DelValle, a 7 year veteran of the FDNY, lost his life as he so bravely attempted to save the lives of others at The World Trade Center. For those who knew him, it is not inconceivable that he put the safety of others first in such a dangerous situation . What is hard to believe is that he is no longer with us. Yet somehow we know there is new angel in heaven leading many parades, dancing a mean salsa, boppin' his head to hip-hop and smiling that big, bright smile down upon us.
It is because he touched the lives of so many, that family and friends have joined together to create The Manuel DelValle, Jr. Memorial Fund. (manny5nyc.tripod.com/)