Emanuel Anthony “Manny” Arias, 82, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by family during his final hours. The Arias family is devastated by his loss, but are proud to celebrate his full life and honor the indelible mark he left on this world.
Manny Arias was a wealthy man in every way that really mattered.
He was a humble, compassionate and generous person who always put his family first. His most prized possessions were the friendships that he collected throughout his life. Manny believed there was no greater luxury than quality time at the table with family, friends and good food.
Emanuel Anthony Arias was born Oct. 2, 1936, in Staten Island, New York, to Antonio and Anita Arias. He grew up in Staten Island, where he attended Port Richmond High School and Wagner College. In the spring of 1957, he met Nancy Howard, a nursing school student at Muhlenberg Nursing School in Plainfield, New Jersey. Manny and Nancy were married June 18, 1960, at St. Patrick’s Church in Chatham, New Jersey.
A member of the U.S. Naval Reserve, he was activated as a Machinist Mate 3rd Class and spent time stationed in Cuba, the Bahamas and Norfolk.
Manny went on to study business and accounting at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, New Jersey, and graduated in 1967. Through the early decades of his career, he worked for Singer Sewing Machines, Red Devil Inc. and Doyle, Dane, Bernbach Advertising Agency (DDB) in New York City as a finance director. His first step as an entrepreneur came in 1977, when he purchased the Snark Sailboat Company and moved his family from Scotch Plains, New Jersey to Virginia Beach.
Snark was the first company to introduce body boards on the East Coast under the “Pipeline” brand, which later merged with Morey Boogie Boards. He sold Snark to Kransco (Wham-O, SwimWays, Power Wheels, Morey Boogie, Hydro-Slide Kneeboards) in 1982 and accepted a position as the San Francisco company’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing.
In 1993, he purchased the SwimWays division from Kransco/Mattel Toys. SwimWays grew into a corporation that employed 150 people and established offices and manufacturing facilities in Virginia Beach; Tarboro, North Carolina; and Hong Kong. Manny worked closely with his sons, David and Jeffrey, and his daughter-in-law, Valerie to grow SwimWays into a global leader in recreational outdoor products. In August of 2016, SwimWays was sold to the Toronto-based public company Spin Master Corporation.
Manny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Nancy Howard Arias; and six children, sons, David Arias, Jeffrey Arias and Christopher Arias, and daughters, Elizabeth Arias Humes, Jennifer Arias Adamson and Tina Arias Rivera. Their five spouses include Valerie Stallings Arias (David), Alexandra Alverado Arias (Jeff), Brandon Fox (Chris), Pete Humes (Liz) and Raul Rivera (Tina).
Manny and Nancy welcomed their first granddaughter, Megan Arias in 1990. Fifteen more grandchildren followed, Jason and Carlisle Arias (David and Valerie); Joshua, Paulina, Tana and Jacob Arias (Jeff and Alex); Isabella and Miranda Arias (Chris); Sophie Skrobiszewski, Woody and Lola Humes (Elizabeth and Pete); Ty and Zoey Adamson (Jennifer); Diego and Lucia (Tina and Raul).
He is also survived by brother-in-law, Art Howard, sister-in-law, Maureen Howard, and their three children, Thomas, Katherine, Brenna and Jane. Manny also leaves behind brother-in-law, Cyril Lichtensteiger; niece, Martha Lichtensteiger; nephew, Gary Lichtensteiger, and his wife, Gail, and their daughter, Ana and Steven Lichtensteiger, and his wife, Ellen, and their sons, William and Trevor.
Manny was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Dolores Arias Lichtensteiger of Staten Island, New York.
Manny and Nancy were avid travelers. Together, they took every opportunity to see the world and made lasting memories on cruises with friends, family vacations and as mission volunteers with Operation Smile.
He loved to cook and had a special talent for seafood and the Spanish dishes that were such an important part of his life. He enjoyed boating and fishing, and was a lifelong fan of the New York Giants.
Manny will always be remembered for his sense of humor and sharp wit. He never missed an opportunity to make people smile. The couple loved to entertain. Whether it was a family dinner or a formal cocktail party, Manny and Nancy were happiest among their favorite people.
Though he is no longer with them, the Arias family will carry on one of Manny’s most enduring traditions, a celebratory Spanish toast, “Salud, amor, dinero y tiempo para gastarlos!” (Health, love, money and time to enjoy them).
The family wishes to acknowledge the dedicated staff of The Memory Center in Virginia Beach who provided comfort and care for Manny over the past three years.
The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Laskin Road Chapel in Virginia Beach. A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, at Star of the Sea, 1404 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach.
Manny was an advocate and supporter of Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD), the Chrysler Museum, MOCA, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and Operation Smile. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, CHKD or Operation Smile.
Share online condolences with the family at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts.
