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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1992)
July 1992 M anuet fciXatos Dear Manuel, my Classmate of long ago, To Our Ole Buddy Buddy: As I sit here, I know full well that you are looking over my shoulder and wondering what is she about to say now!! Somewhere there is always a beginning of a memory...I guess it started with your Grandpa Hoxie but mostly with your parents. Dear Teuton, who would never let me walk home in the dark by myself, but would take that old Franklin that illegal half a mile and leave me off at home. On our solitary rides he would tell me of his adventures... some of them hair-raising! Then there is that special mother of yours, Pearl, who is named so rightly for she is one of God's special jewels. It is sometimes hard to know what makes certain families forever part of your lives. I just know that in the drawers of my mind the Rilatos Family has always been special to me and mine. There is a bond built on so many things - and you; Manuel are part of that bond. I am so glad we had our last visit on earth together. There was much to say but I am sure you knew my thoughts. I shall miss you, Manuel, you enriched my life. Thank you. This is not a "goodbye" letter...you have just crossed over the arc of the rainbow to a far better place. I am grateful to God that I knew you and that I know your family. I think people pray for one another no matter where they are in the Lord's Universe, please pray for us who are left here on Earth. I know I shall see you when I cross over the rainbow, until then, my Dear Old Friend, I shall hold my memories to my heart, and think of all my blessings and all the kind people I have known of which you were one. May happiness be with you. Since I know you are looking over my shoulder, I shall give this to that special lady you are married to. May the eternal light of the Savior shine on you until we meet again. Quanna and I have many good memories of our "Uncle Manuel". He will always be in our hearts. I can hear him laughing and teasing Quanna about shopping or getting money from her Mom or teasing me about my bald little boy! The three of us had a special relationship. He was one of our very best friends and we loved him deeply. I'm glad God chose our paths to cross with his. He will always be in our prayers. We love you... Your Schoolmate, Mary Jane "Manuel's presence will be missed, but memories of him will live forever"...... Jim, Elaine & Jimmy Gwynn "We have lost a Friend that we valued very highly, he will be missed by many".... God's Love to All Carl & Verna Kentta "Manuel was a terrific friend to all of us and we'll miss him".... Jack & Tina Retasket "You’ve all been like family to me" Love, Randy ’We who work to further the growth of the American Indian students, want to take this- occasion to let you know of our appreciation for Manuel's support for the JOM and Title V Programs. The Rilatos name is deep into the history of the Lincoln County Cultural Programs and Manuel was instrumental in the ¡progress of these programs"....... Fred Rider Title V Coordinator 1 Your Favorite Buddy Buddies, Laura & Quanna "May the good memories make you smile and ease the tears"..... Jolyne AKA "Judy Blonde" "Manny has been a very special friend to our family from the first day we met him. Always a smile on his face, nice words he has shared with us, leaving an abundance of memories with our family; we will cherish for all times"..... The Mason Family FROMSTEDCO: "I'll miss Manuel's visits and the smile he always gave me when he called me "Miss STEDCO".... Peggy "We'll miss his laughter and stories he brought with him on his visits to the office".... Tami Manuel's departure leaves a void that we are only beginning to understand. Physically rugged and with a strong constitution most of his life, the ravages of illness finally took their toll. A school mate since grade school days, during our high school years he probably spent as much time at our house as he did at home. We played the same position on the Siletz High School Football Team. We both married very young, and lived in the same (Milo Collins) apartment complex. During World War II, we ran into each other in the New Guinea jungles — he talked about this many times in later years. Walking down a trail there, I heard this laugh-telling another soldier "Nobody else in the world laughs like that - I know that guy!", in an opening, there he was! Once we were driving to Portland — my old car with no spare tire. Outside of McMinnville I sensed that we had a flat, lie got out of the car, went to the rear, and again I heard that loud, familiar laugh! "She's all gone to hell, Harrison," he said (H e ,is the only person in the world that has always called me "Harrison"). We walked two or three miles for another tire, repaired it, and went on. He always remained happy under any conditions. Such was the way we enjoyed life in those days. I'll never have another friend like him. Our hearts go out to Clarice, his family and Mother - all of whom have had to undergo this experience only a short time ago with the loss of his brother, Robert. A marvelous example of a good man — a giant has fallen among us. Joe Lane "We'll miss Manuel's assistance, good counsel and especially his humor. He took me under his wing when I started here and I will never forget it"....... Mike Dbwsett "We join the ranks of those who will miss our good friend. You can be sure he won't be forgotten!"........ Gib (Diz) & Nellie ".... Manuel brought to thè Council a strong dedication and advocacy for the social, economic and political rights of the Siletz people . His work in several major areas, e.g., housing, gaming, economic development, etc. gives strong testimony to that dedication and advocacy. In addition to these admirable qualities, Manuel maintained a cheerful and positive attitude regarding a ir issues faced by the Council, major and minor alike. In our work as consultants to the Council, we were impressed with his determination to seek practical and workable solutions to issues, rather than giving up in frustration or viewing them as insoluble. We know that Manuel will be missed by his family, the Council and the Siletz people. His final tribute is that he was able to do the things he seemed to enjoy most — working on behalf of his people"........ Sincerely, Forrest Gerard Franklin Ducheneaux Frances Feran Tribal Member Frances Feran was born April 9, 1906 in Redding, California and died June 13, 1992 in Vancouver, Washington. She was the widow of Kenneth Feran, daughter of George Starr Fitzpatrick and Fay Charles Fitzpatrick. She is survived by a sister, Aileen Chiodo of San Diego, California and two nephews, Dr. Robert L. Miller of Lake Havasu City, Nevada and Dennis Tufts of Ocean Park, Washington. She was laid to rest beside her husband Kenneth in Vancouver, Washington
