On Friday, August 23, 2024, Manny went home to be with the Lord after fighting a battle with
pancreatic cancer.

Manuel "Manny" Angel Rios-Pabón was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 19, 1962,
to Emerita Pabon and Manuel "Tito" Rios. Manny lived most of his early life in Puerto Rico with
his family, including his parents and younger brother, Gerardo Rios. His first exposure to life in
the continental United States came in the early 1970s when he spent two years living in Miami
Beach, Florida, with his mother. He returned to Puerto Rico and graduated high school in 1979.
At the age of 15, he lost his mother but sought refuge in the Gospel and found a family in the
church at Caguas, now known as Yo Soy La Vid. He became a committed Christian, faithfully
attending services and bible studies for the rest of his life. From 1979 to 1985, he studied at the
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. He became a member of a Christian student
fellowship called the Hermandad Colegial de Avivamiento and made lifelong friends there. After
graduating in 1986, he was hired by the United States Navy as a civilian engineer and moved to
Seaside Heights, NJ. December 1992 marked the beginning of his loving marriage to Sonia
Cortez. In 1993 he completed his pursuit of a master's degree in engineering at Drexel
University. On July 27, 1996, his only child, Caleb Rios, was born. In 2000 he began his career
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tech center in Pomona, NJ, and was employed
there for the rest of his life. Manny further continued his studies, receiving his PhD in
engineering in 2011. In March 2023 his father went home with the Lord.

Everyone who knew him could see that he was a caring husband and loving father. Outside of
his home and work, he was best known for his contributions to the churches he attended,
notably at the last church he was a member of, Chestnut Assembly of God. He led bible studies
and served as a leader in the Royal Rangers boys' ministry for many years. In the latter
capacity, he was known to the boys as "Commander Manny". In his free time, he loved studying
the Bible, watching classic movies, and hiking.

Manny is survived by his wife Sonia Rios; his son Caleb Rios; his brother Gerardo Rios, sister-in-law Cynthia Rios, and nephew Moises Rios. He is greatly missed by his extended family, including those on his wife's side, especially his mother-in-law, Lydia Cortez, who loved him as her own. He will further be missed by his church
family, particularly by the Hispanic ministry and the Royal Rangers, both at Chestnut Assembly
of God and across New Jersey. He will be fondly remembered by members of the Hermandad and his coworkers at the FAA.

A memorial service will be held at Chestnut Assembly of God, 2554 E Chestnut Ave.,
Vineland, NJ 08631 on September 21, 2024, at 10:30 AM, with his urn present.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.