Joseph Michael Manuli (aka Joe and Joey Bag of Chips), 56, of Belford, passed away April 20 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center with his sisters by his side.
Born severely physically handicapped Sept. 5, 1967, to his loving parents, John and Grace (née Dawson) Manuli in the Bronx, Joe was never meant to live. But oh, did he!
Joe never let the term “disabled” define him. He defied all the odds and overcame many obstacles in his short but full and meaningful life. Physically, he weighed 110 pounds but he benched 375 pounds, taking home the Best Lifter Light trophy in the 1992 New Jersey State Bench Press Championships. Mentally, he mastered chess and was ranked in the top 10% of players nationally, often beating many players above his rating.
Nothing gave Joe more joy than seeing others thrive. Most chess players can play but can’t teach well. Joe, a member of the New Jersey State Chess Federation, was one of the best instructors in the state for 20 years. He had a natural ability to communicate with all types of people. This allowed him to connect with over 500 students across many schools, including Applegate, Eisenhower and Dunellen, making a difference in their lives on and off the chessboard. He proudly led the Middle School Chess teams in Dunellen to three state championships in a row.
In 1999, Joe was awarded the Excellence in Prevention Award for outstanding contributions against substance abuse through his chess coaching in the Monmouth County area.
Growing up, he bowled competitively, competed in racquetball tournaments, excelled at wrestling, wrote poetry, had a green thumb, and crabbed and fished with his best friend of over 40 years, Rob Fiore. He was fascinated by the Mob, obsessively played Grand Theft Auto, avidly followed the Yankees, Giants and Italy’s national soccer team, and was a shark at the poker tables.
At home, he was inseparable from his fur babies (cats Groucho, then Sasha).
Kind, always offering advice and help, Joe was equally brilliant and witty with a slightly mischievous twinkle in his eye. He could be strong-willed, tough and tenacious, with a stubborn streak, but he was fiercely independent, curious and never let anything hold him back. He even mastered driving with hand controls. Joe bravely fought many health challenges but was always positive. He was a true inspiration in how to be an overcomer – although he’d never admit he was.
The youngest of three, Joe was a cheerleader and mediator for his two sisters. He was raised in Middletown and attended Middletown South High School. Upon the death of his mother when he was 15, Joe attended Wilbraham & Monson Academy and graduated in 1987. While there he was senior class president. He studied at Northeastern University and Rutgers University. Professionally, he managed two jewelry stores with Rob Fiore. He was a very active member of the Fiore family, sharing many holidays with them, and was deeply loved by both of Rob’s children.
Joe was preceded in death by his mother Grace. He is survived by his father and stepmother, John and Arleen; his two sisters, Joanne and Jeanne; his stepsister Lisa; and his goddaughter Gabrielle Fiore.
Joe was humble and never sought the limelight so he didn’t want formal services; however, the family is planning a celebration of life this summer, the details of which will be posted on his Facebook page.
A memorial was held April 27 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, to honor Joe’s memory. Instead of flowers, donations in Joe’s honor may be made to Shriners Children’s at shrinerschildrens.org. The doctors and nurses there were invaluable in his ability to live a full life.
The article originally appeared in the May 9 – 15, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
