Emanuel Calon Rodriguez

Emanuel “Manny” Calon Rodriguez, 15, of Clifton, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 13, 2021 after a courageously fought battle with cancer.

            Born at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson, Manny was a lifelong resident of Clifton. He attended Clifton School #16, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and most recently, Banyan High School in Little Falls.  Manny had aspirations of growing up to be either a Martial Arts Instructor or a Race Car Driver. He was a member of Team P.R.A.I.S.E. of Clifton Midget League Baseball and was a martial arts student at 8 Venoms Muay Thai in Teaneck. Manny also loved going to the boxing gym to train every Sunday morning along with his dad, brother, uncle and cousin. Despite his sickness, Manny always kept a smile on his face that lit up any room he entered, providing warmth and hope to everyone.

                        He is survived by his loving and caring parents, Rudolf Bautista Rodriguez, and Lavinia Calon Rodriguez, of Clifton; by his loving younger brother, Emilio Calon Rodriguez, also of Clifton; and his treasured pet, Chico. He also leaves behind a close, loving extended family, innumerable friends, classmates, and teammates, all of whom will miss him greatly and are thankful for the time they were blessed to have Manny in their lives…he will live on in all of them.

            Visiting will be Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral services will be Thursday beginning at 10:45 am at the funeral home followed by a mass at 11:30 am at St. Philip the Apostle RC Church, 797 Valley Road, Clifton. A live-stream of the funeral mass may be viewed by clicking HERE on Thursday at 11:30am. Committal service to follow at East Ridgelawn Crematory, Clifton. Face masks must be worn inside the funeral home and at church and social distancing guidelines must be adhered to. Due to current restrictions on allowable numbers inside the funeral home at one time (60), it is requested that those attending the visitation be courteous by limiting their time inside in order to allow others the opportunity to pay their respects as well. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that any donations in Manny’s memory may be made to “St. Joseph’s Health Foundation” online at https://givetostjosephs.org, by mail at P.O. Box 29000, Newark, NJ 07101-9888, or by calling (973) 754-GIVE (4483). Please designate “Manny Rodriguez” in the tribute information. All funds will be used to support direct assistance for other Pediatric Hematology & Oncology patients and families.

Please click HERE on Thursday at 11:30am to join a live-stream of the funeral mass for Manny.