Manuel "Manny" Cordeiro Jr.

Manuel (Manny) Cordeiro died peacefully at Villa Riviera on Jan. 7, 2016 at the age of 96. He was born Nov. 3rd 1919 in Stratford California. He spent most of his life on the ocean starting at the age of 13 commercial fishing on his dad's boat. He spent 3 years in the Coast Guard and later ran sport fishing boats out of Norm's Landing in Newport Beach, alongside his brother Sammy Cordeiro. Norm decided he wanted to open up a sport fishing business in Santa Barbara, so he asked Manny to become Port Captain and head up his operation here. Manny moved his wife and three children here in 1955 to open up Norm's Landing. He ran a number of boats in his career but the "Santa Barbara Special" was his favorite. He also did the fish report for a number of years for a local radio station (K.i.S.T.) and was given the nickname "The Best in the West". It had been written that not only was he one of the best Skippers but also he was a genial host who made everyone feel at home on his craft. It was also written that he must have been born with a rod and reel in his hand because he was the best fisherman the writer had ever seen. Manny retired from sport fishing in 1965 and went to work running crew and supply boats for Tidewater Marine until he retired in 1983. Tidewater Marine honored him by christening a new 65' twin screw vessel the "MANNY TIDE". Manny was preceded in death by this beautiful wife of 65 years Lucille, loving daughter Anna Zickert and great grandson Michael (T.T.) McGrew. He is survived by his two sons: Tom (Pat), Ray (Kitty), son in law Jack Zickert. Grandchildren: Ritchie & Tammi Cordeiro, Brian (Bertha) & Kari Cordeiro, Mike Zickert. Great grandchildren: Taryn & Matt McGrew, Brenna, Ashlee & R.J. Cordeiro, Heather & Kevin Zickert and 2 great-great grandchildren: Kenley & Nathaniel McGrew. There will be a rosary at Welch Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel downtown location at 7 P.M. on Jan. 13th and graveside services at Calvary Cemetery on Jan. 14th at 11 A.M. We would like to thank his Doctors Michael Bernstein and Joseph Blum for all their kindness and help over the years. We especially want to thank our extended family at Villa Riviera for all their care and understanding during this time. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Hospice & Visiting Nurses that were there for Manny and his family up to the very end.

Manuel "Manny" Cordeiro Jr.

November 3, 1919 - January 7, 2016