Manuel Gomes Jr.

Manuel, known as “Manny” to most, passed peacefully from vascular dementia on January 24, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by Kathleen (“Kitty”), his devoted wife of 63 years, and their four children, daughter Ruthann (Wilkins) Mobley, daughter Victoria and her husband Tom Ayers, son Manuel III, and daughter Cecelia and her husband Chuck Foley; and six grandchildren, Shaun and Jason Wilkins, Manuel IV and Mackenzie Gomes; and Claireese and Charlotte Foley. Manuel is also survived by his brother John and his wife Jean, brother
David and his wife Dotty, brother Noah and his wife Karen, brother Fred and his wife Helen; along with many beloved nieces and nephews; and Kitty’s brother Jerry Keller, who thought of Manuel as a brother. Manuel was predeceased by his parents, his brother Joe, and sisters Madelyn and Margaret.

A San Diego native, Manny was born into a Portuguese fishing family and grew up in Point Loma. He attended Point Loma High School where he met his future bride, Kitty Keller. In her 1950 yearbook he wrote, “In two years I will be yours forever and ever (if you would say Yes). Love, Gomes." He also wrote, “Your wish may come true. Love, Me“. After graduating in 1950, Manny decided, due to his love of sports, he preferred living on land rather than the sea. However, that didn’t stop him from a short stint in the tuna fishing industry. Kitty graduated one year behind Manny in 1951. They were married in 1952, just as Manny predicted.

Manny was always athletic and grew up playing sports. In high school he lettered in each of baseball, basketball and football every year. Subsequently, he played club-level baseball during which time he was invited to try out for the San Diego Padres farm team in Arizona. But just one day prior to signing his baseball contract, the U.S. Army sent a telegram ordering him to report for duty. Twice previously Manny had tried to
enlist, so he was happy to serve his country for two years (1954-56). While on active duty in Sacramento, his accomplishments included becoming a sharpshooter and overseeing the Army base’s athletic program. He never saw combat.

Manny was a sports aficionado. After the Army, this passion led him to officiating a number of different sports throughout his adult life, including basketball, football, baseball, water polo, and working on the chain gang for the Chargers. He was also a timekeeper for boxing (including Olympic trials), and track and field Olympic trials in San Diego. Additionally, he spent a total of 24 seasons at the San Diego Sports Arena as an off-ice official and supervisor of off-ice officials for the WHL, WHA and IHL San Diego Gulls and Mariners hockey teams.

Manny was a mentor and friend to younger players, coaches and officials. He excelled in providing tips and techniques to each individual to help them achieve their best result. It was important to him to work hard and play by the rules. Because of his knowledge of the rules, he was a stickler about how to play the game the right way – from cards to the NBA.

Manny’s longest sports affiliation was basketball. From 1956 to 2006, he officiated all levels from high school, wheelchair, military and college, to the NBA. During this time, he also observed and assessed other basketball officials. These accomplishments culminated in 2007, at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum in Balboa Park, when Manny was among the second class of officials inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame, for Basketball.

Manny enjoyed being outdoors and active, whether taking his kids to the beach and riding waves with them, coaching Little League, playing softball, horseshoes, “pucks” and bocce, salt and fresh-water fishing, golfing, hunting with Jerry, or many other activities. He always had a big smile and a great sense of humor. He loved a good joke, dancing (especially the polka and swing), having fun and scaring his kids (and others, especially on Halloween). He’d jump out and scream “BOO!” then laugh and laugh with them.

It wasn’t all sports. After spending some time in the Portuguese tuna fishing fleet and the Army, Manny also worked as a longshoreman, at Teledyne-Ryan Aeronautical, General Dynamics and Solar Turbines. In 1997, he retired from Grossmont College after 25 years.

Manuel Gomes, Jr. was a dear husband, loving father, grandfather (“Vovo” was his Portuguese endearment), brother, uncle, friend and a San Diego sports legend. He encouraged his kids to respect others, laugh, smile, think, use common sense, always try their hardest to overcome challenges and do things right. With Manny on one side and Kitty on the other, our family ate together, played together and grew together. He will be missed greatly, but his memory and legacy will live on forever.

Manny always hesitated to say “goodbye.” Instead he’d say “see ya, see ya.” So, “See ya, see ya, Manny. We love you and will carry you with us always. May you rest in peace.”

The family will be greeting relatives and friends on Friday, February 12, 2016, from 3:00 to 6:00pm in the Featheringill Mortuary chapel, with a Rosary at 4:00. There will be no viewing. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 10:30am at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church. Father Mark Campbell will officiate. A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. Manuel’s ashes will be interred at the Miramar National Cemetery on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Manuel Gomes, Jr., either to the Hall of Fame Sports Officials Advisory Committee (SOAC), a nonprofit, or to a charity of your choice. If you would like to make a memorial donation to the Hall of Fame, please make your check payable to “San Diego County SOAC” and mail it to PO Box 4312, Chula Vista, CA 91909.