Obituaries and article about Roland Marcello Manteiga (1920-1998) File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Donna Murray Allen, cherokee@cftnet.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. This file may not be removed from this server or altered in any way for placement on another server without the consent of the State and USGenWeb Project coordinators and the contributor. *********************************************************************** Published in the Friday, October 1, 1998 edition of La Gaceta Newspaper. Written by Donna Murray Allen. For non-commercial use only. For permission to reprint, contact the author, Donna Allen, at cherokee@cftnet.com Or La Gaceta Newspaper. In Memoriam Roland Manteiga January 20, 1920 – September 25, 1998 This edition of La Gaceta Newspaper is dedicated to its publisher, Roland Marcello Manteiga, who died Friday, September 25, at age 78. He was a consummate political writer, an ardent Democrat, a compassionate advocate for the disadvantaged, a loving father and a loyal friend. A legend in his own time, he will be sadly missed by his family and friends and all that knew him. Roland Manteiga was the guiding force behind La Gaceta for more than 50 years, and proudly oversaw the 155-page edition published last June in recognition of the newspaper’s 75th anniversary. The milestone edition of La Gaceta was the largest one ever printed. Published consecutively since being founded in 1922 by his father, Victoriano Manteiga, La Gaceta began as a Spanish-language newspaper aimed at keeping the large Spanish-speaking population informed on local and national events. In 1954, La Gaceta became a weekly newspaper and began including articles in English. Today, the tri-lingual publication contains articles in Spanish, English and Italian. La Gaceta will remain in the Manteiga family, with Patrick Manteiga succeeding his father as owner/publisher. Roland’s popular column, As We Heard It, which he began writing in 1954, has long been a must-read for members of both the political and business communities. To his continuing delight, he routinely scooped the local daily papers on many major events, and his ability to elicit even the most closely guarded information remains unmatched. Through the years, "As We Heard It" and its charming, dapper author became a major political influence. His uncanny ability to predict the outcome of political races and his insider knowledge gained him statewide notoriety and reporters from around the country began quoting him on political issues. He was, for example, the only political writer in Florida who correctly predicted Claude Kirk would become governor. His political expertise and sway with the Latin community drew the attention of almost every visiting and resident aspiring politician, all of whom sought his endorsement. Getting mentioned in his column became a status symbol. Among the dignitaries who broke bread at his reserved table at La Tropicana Restaurant were Presidents Jimmy Carter and George Bush. A 1970 story published in the St. Petersburg Times described Roland this way: "Native-born Tampan Roland Manteiga has the rapport of a Damon Runyon with prostitutes and pimps. He has the ear of a Jimmy Breslin for barroom banter and a Drew Pearson’s penchant for predictions – with a track record to match. "By itself, his newspaper, La Gaceta, turns no wheels of change or progress, but without it the conscience of others would not be pressured to react." A comprehensive history of the Latin community is contained on the pages of La Gaceta, and most of it has been preserved on microfilm for future generations. ***** The community saw Roland Manteiga as an influential politico, a "yellow-dog" Democrat who stood up for his convictions and a man with a penchant for three-piece white suits, nightclubs and beautiful women. Republican political candidates regarded him as a nemesis because they knew his endorsement of their opponents could cost them an election. To his family, Roland Manteiga was a warm, loving affectionate father and a doting grandfather. He was a proud, attentive father who enjoyed being surrounded by his family, and something of a soft touch. As a friend, he had no peer. He was supportive, loyal, compassionate and sincere, and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. ***** Roland Manteiga was born to Victoriano and Ofelia Pedrazas Manteiga on January 16, 1920. Raised in Tampa Heights, he graduated from Hillsborough High School and attended the University of Tampa. He began his newspaper career at age 10, delivering newspapers for La Gaceta. By the time he was 19, he was handling circulation and advertising, taking time away from the paper only to serve in the Army during World War II. His second marriage produced daughter Victoria and an adopted daughter, Rebecca. Son Patrick was born to Roland and his third wife, Peggy. ***** Active in the community, Mr. Manteiga served on the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority and on the boards of the Performing Arts Center, Cuban Club, Red Cross and the United Way. In addition, he was a lifelong member of the Centro Espanol. He has received many honors and awards during his distinguished career as a journalist such as the Outstanding Contribution to Florida Media Award, the Florida Bar Award of Merit and voted Best Political Writer by the Young Democrats of Florida. In addition to receiving a commendation by the Florida House of Representatives, he was named Outstanding Citizen of the year by the Ybor City Optimist Club, Man of the Year by the Rough Riders and selected as the Hispanic Man of the Year in 1995 and received the Italian Club’s Paul Longo Award. In addition, he received the Cesar Gonzmart Award in recognition of his work to preserve Ybor City and its history. One of his biggest honors will come posthumously in November when the Cuban Club names its newly-refurbished theater "The Roland Manteiga Theatre." At the time of his death, plans were already in the making to name the theatre for Mr. Manteiga, in recognition of his fundraising efforts to restore the club to its original splendor. ***** Survivors include Patrick and Angie Manteiga and their three children: Erin, Emily and Joey; daughter Victoria and son-in-law Rich Jones, grandson Ricky Dominique; daughter Becky Manteiga and her children, Angie and Mary Grace; great-grandson Brendan, two sisters, Claudette Scionti and Ramona Manteiga, many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Ave. A rosary service will be held at 8:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at St. Lawrence. Monsg. Higgins will officiate at both services. Burial will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Gonzalez Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. ============================================================================ This article was published in the Friday, October 1, 1998 edition of La Gaceta Newspaper. For non-commercial use only. No reproduction without author’s permission. As I Knew Him By Donna Murray Allen What can you say about a man whose life was cut short, when he still had so much to give? A true Renaissance Man, who really was a legend in his own time. Some would say that Roland Manteiga was fortunate to have lived to the ripe old age of 78. Maybe that’s true. Nevertheless, those of us who loved him weren’t ready to let him go. Roland Manteiga was my mentor and "surrogate father" for nearly 20 years. He was my anchor in a turbulent life. And one of my dearest friends. He never failed to call and wish me "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Merry Christmas." He sent me a Mother’s Day card every year, just to be sure I got one, because he knew how important that special day was to me. He taught me almost everything I know about politics – though his perspective was usually skewed by his "yellow-dog devotion" to the Democratic Party – and introduced me to political powerhouses of both parties. I was quite naïve when I first met him. Ever the teacher, he diplomatically, almost bemusedly, explained that situations weren’t always what they appeared to be. He cared enough to set me straight when I obsessed about life’s little travails. When I complained. Or procrastinated. For example, when I decided I wanted to move from Brandon to Tampa, I kept agonizing over what to do and when to do it. One day, over lunch, I began a familiar refrain. "I know you’re probably tired of hearing me talk about wanting to move to Tampa …" Before I could say another word, Roland interjected, "As a matter of fact I am. Either move. Or drop the subject." Within the year, I was living in Tampa. We spent most Saturday mornings together for almost two decades. He’d sit in his big brown leather chair, correcting copy for the next week’s edition, chatting on the phone and greeting anyone who happened to drop by. I’d sit in the matching leather couch in front of the picture window and edit proofs. We’d gossip. Talk politics. Discuss personal worries and problems. We shared the same weird sense of humor. Even the silences were comfortable. Roland exuded confidence. He was his own man. As he once succinctly put it, "What do I give a damn what people think?" An incident at the old Sea Wolf Restaurant best illustrates that attitude. My son and I were meeting Roland for dinner. David was about six at the time. His favorite toys were "He-Men" action figures, and Roland always took time to inquire about his collection, sometimes in great detail. Roland was sitting with two men in a booth in the bar when we arrived. David spotted him, and dashed into the bar. "Look, Roland," he said excitedly, "I got two new He-Men." Roland immediately gave David his full attention, much to the amazement of the two no-nonsense-looking guys sharing his booth. "Let me see them," Roland said. He was radiant, as he always was when speaking with a child. Roland told the men to wait, that he’d be right back. He walked with David over to the bar, sat down on a stool and lifted David up onto the one beside him. David thrust the "He-Men" at Roland. "Now what did you say THIS one does,?" Roland asked, holding up a figurine. By this time the two men had sauntered over to the bar. They stood watching, mouths agape. Roland ignored them. He took the time to discuss the merits of both action figures before saying he would meet us in the restaurant in a few minutes, after he took care of business. I asked him what the men thought about his behavior. "What the hell do I care what they think?" he countered. Indeed. Even those who didn’t agree with his politics respected him. Roland was a man who stood up for his convictions. They admired his courage. The political arena has lost one its most talented prognosticators. Our community has lost one of its most productive members and a kind, gentle, sensitive man. And me? I’ve lost my closest confidante, a loyal, trusted friend and a man I dearly loved. Life won’t be the same without him. But I’m grateful for the time we had together. Good-by my friend. May you rest in peace, knowing how much you meant to those of us who had the good fortune to have known you. ============================================================================ Funeral notice published in the Tampa Tribune. October 1, 1998 MANTEIGA Roland Manteiga, owner and publisher of La Gaceta newspaper, died last Friday, September 25. He was 78. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. A rosary service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Monsg. Higgins will officiate at both services. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. A native of Tampa, Mr. Manteiga was a political expert with an uncanny ability to predict the outcome of political races. The prominent voice of the Latin community and Ybor City for more than 50 years, he was the guiding force behind La Gaceta, and proudly saw it celebrate its 75th anniversary last year. The tri-lingual, weekly newspaper was founded in 1922 by his father, Victoriano Manteiga, who had been a lector in Ybor City’s cigar factories. Patrick Manteiga will succeed his father as owner/publisher of La Gaceta. His popular column, As We Heard It, which he began writing in 1955, was a must-read for members of both the political and business communities, and nearly every aspiring politician, including presidential candidates, sought his counsel, advice and endorsement. Active in the community, Mr. Manteiga served on the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority and on the boards of the Performing Arts Center and the United Way, a trustee of the Cuban Club and was a lifelong member of the Centro Espanol. He has received many honors and awards during his distinguished career as a journalist such as the Outstanding Contribution to Florida Media Award, the Florida Bar Award of Merit and voted Best Political Writer by the Young Democrats of Florida. In addition to receiving a commendation by the Florida House of Representatives, he was named Outstanding Citizen of the year by the Ybor City Optimist Club, Man of the Year by the Rough Riders and selected as the Hispanic Man of the Year in 1995. One of his greatest honors will be awarded posthumously. In November, the Cuban Club will name its newly refurbished theatre, The Roland Manteiga Theatre. At the time of his death, plans were in the making to name the theatre for Mr. Manteiga, in recognition of his tireless fundraising efforts to raise funds to restore the social club to its original grandeur. Mr. Manteiga is survived by a son, Patrick Manteiga, of Temple Terrace and two daughters, Vickie Jones, of Valrico, and Becky Manteiga of Tampa; daughter-in-law Angie Manteiga; son-in-law, Rich Jones and six grandchildren: Erin, Emily and Joey Manteiga, Ricky Dominique, Mary Grace Manteiga and Angie Manteiga; one great-grandchild, Brendan Manteiga; two sisters, Claudette Scionti and Ramona Manteiga and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers include: Chris Brent Wayne Crooks William Garcia, Esq. William "Bill" cBride, Esq. Dr. Ferdie Pacheco A.J. Scionti Anthony Scionti Richard Scionti Honorary pallbearers include: Buster Agliano Richard Ake Donna Murray Allen Judge Dennis Alvarez Sam Argintar Bernie Arenas Richard Baccarella Malcom Beard Fortune Bosco Bob Buckhorn Hon. Bob Butterworth Jerry Cain Betty Castor Gov. Lawton Chiles Dolores Crooks Rep. Jim Davis Helen Gordon Davis Louis de la Parte Ed Dees Victor DiMaio Dr. Jose Dominguez Jack Espinosa Henry Estevez Angeles Ferlita Hon. Sandra Freedman Hon. Sam Gibbons Vince Giglio Henry Gonzalez Adela Gonzmart Richard Gonzmart Sen. Bob Graham Mayor Dick Greco Joe Greco Ray Grimaldi Perry Harvey Doyle Harvill Walter Heinrich Sheriff Cal Henderson Pam Iorio Fred Karl Hon. Claude Kirk Raul Lavin George Levy Gerald Lewis Manuel Lopez Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay David McLaroy Dr. Marcia Mann Dennis Martinez Judge Elvin Martinez Dr. Victor Martinez Lynn Marvin Charles Miranda H. Lee Moffitt Dr. Gary Mormino Richard Muga Fernando Noreiga Rubin Padgett Judge Sonny Palomino Hon. William Poe Luciano Prieda Sam Rampello Armando Roche Bobby Rodriguez John Spera Dr. Mark Smith William Reece Smith George Steinbrenner Bob Valle Tedd Webb And all the employees of La Gaceta Newspaper