Emanuel "Manny" Masselli, a beloved husband, uncle, friend, and confidant died peacefully at the age of 76 on December 19, 2023.  His passion for helping those around him transcended both his personal and professional life.  For over 3 decades, Manny served the East Hartford public school system as a guidance counselor where his commitment to his students always went far beyond expectation. He showed that same exceptional love and care to his family and friends.

In his early childhood, he lived in the north-end of Middletown attending Saint Sebastians elementary school and Middletown High School before moving to the family home in Portland where he lived for the remainder of his life. In Portland, he became a parishioner of St. Mary's Church.

He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary and secondary education and master's degree in counseling from Central Connecticut State University. Manny very much embraced life's adventures. As an avid traveler, he explored 6 continents and dozens of cities and countries in addition to working for 2 years in an Australian school system. His passion and talent for photography served him well as he documented his travels to so many exotic locations with amazing pictures and slides.

Manny's creativity was not limited to just writing and pictures. He also enjoyed expressing his love of life through his culinary talents (name almost any cuisine and he could make it), dancing, and performing. In fact, as the disco craze of the 1970s took hold, Manny took his natural talent as a teacher in a different direction by conducting classes on how to "Do the hustle."

Manny's ability to make people laugh and smile was unique in that he typically didn't seek to be the center of attention (unless he was dancing or performing a skit in a variety show) but his funny antics in the background of a family gathering or social function, when eventually noticed would lighten up any room. As a member of the LGBT+ community, he was active for many years in DignityUSA and met many of his life-long friends through his membership in that organization.

Manny is survived by his husband, Fabio Lecci Merigue, his sister-in-law, Ann Masselli and his brother-in-law, George Oczkowski, his nieces and nephews, Rose Morse, Maria Wilcox, John Masselli and his husband Archie Pitsilides, Michael Masselli and his wife Catherine, Helene Oczkowski Pearson, and Christine Oczkowkski Ryer and her husband Curtis. He also survived by 10 great nieces and nephews Nick, Josh, Tony, Alexa, Jocelyn, Jen, Gina, Brian, Skye and Zack and one great-great niece Murphy.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Rose (Pattavina) Masselli of Portland, his brother Joseph Masselli of Portland, his sister Marie (Masselli) Oczkowski of Newington, Ct, a niece Maureen (Masselli) Zory, and two nephews, Richard Morse also from Portland and Jeff Pearson from Newington.

The Funeral liturgy will be held on January 13th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Portland, 45 Freestone Ave. Portland. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Middlesex Hospice, 28 Crescent St. Middletown, CT 06457. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com