Emanuel “Manny” Blosio
U.S. Army
2019
Manny’s story began in Italy, but quickly moved to Stamford when at just six months old his mother brought him and his two sisters to join his father here. He happily remembers his very American childhood, growing up on the West Side, playing baseball with friends at Hatch Field, football on Richmond Hill and spending time with the CYO at Sacred Heart Church. His first “military” experience was as a Boy Scout during World War II, when he helped check neighborhood houses for lights during air raid drills.
After attending Stevens School and Cloonan Jr. High, Manny graduated from Stamford High and joined the Naval Reserves in 1949. Two years later he decided to join the Army instead, and after training at Fort Dix, he saw combat in the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. Then, right after his very fortunate safe return, Manny’s good luck really blossomed when on a trip to the dentist he met his future wife of 62 years, Rosemarie Marrucco, where she was working as a hygienist.
Soon after, Manny went to the University of Bridgeport where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and then a Master’s in Education, which turned out to be his true calling. A magnificent teaching career began with Fine Arts at Turn of River, then Fine Arts and Stage Craft at Rippowam High and then Rippowam Cluster High School. As a co-founder of B.E.S.T (Board of Education Summer Theater), Manny mentored many young students, aspiring actors and stage hands, who still keep in touch with him today.
Manny was never one to idle. He was active in the Boy Scouts, coached Babe Ruth Baseball, worked the Board of Rec playgrounds, supported the Westhill Blue Line Club and was a volunteer for the St. Cecilia Youth Group. He was a member of the Stamford Senior Men’s Club, the Italian Center, a past Grand Knight of the Father Miller Council, Knights of Columbus, and is now a member of the Southern Fairfield County Retired Teachers Association. Manny still enjoys golf, breakfast at Dutchess with “the guys” and seeing his many friends and relatives.
Most of all, Manny and Rosemarie love spending time with their four children Richard (Allison) Blosio, Robert (Pamela) Blosio, Randy (Lisa) Blosio and Robyn (Paul) Bova, their eleven grandchildren (one on active duty, one veteran) and one great grandchild. Manny says that he wishes the Scholarship winners “a very happy, successful college career and much success in life”.