Manuel Tribuna

Manuel R. Tribuna, 98, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Born and raised in a small village in central Portugal, to a farming family, he was the son of Martinho and Cacilda Tribuna. During his childhood, when not working on the farm, he became a student of music, first learning to play on the piccolo and later clarinet and mandolin. The local orchestra, which he was a part of, performed for weddings, funeral processions, and Saturday night dances. He immigrated to the USA in 1939 at the age of 18 and shortly after enlisted in the US Army, serving in Europe during WWII as both the company bugler and messenger. After returning from the war, Manuel met and married the love of his life, Claire Souza. They lived and raised their children in New Jersey. They celebrated 58 years of marriage and she proceeded him in death in 2004. Manuel worked various jobs, most notably was 17 years in a foundry and 17 years with Merck Pharmaceutical, where he retired from. After retirement, they moved to Arizona in 1980 to be near their children and grandchildren. Manuel, (Dad or AKA Pop) leaves his son, Robert Tribuna (Linda), his daughter, Diane Gasparini; his 4 grandchildren, Shaun Gasparini (Laura), Tara (Mike) Devoley; Jodi (Matt) Todd, Laura (Aaron) Micale, and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to 1Mission.org or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 5830 W. Greenbrier Dr., Glendale, AZ 85308.