John Manriquez

John Manriquez Jr., 60, of Santa Fe, NM passed away Saturday, June 18th 2022 after a 6 -year battle with colo-rectal cancer. He was born to the late John Sr. and Beatrice Manriquez on December 9th 1961 in Council Bluffs, IA. John graduated from Ralston High School in 1981 in Omaha, NE. After highschool John joined the United States Marine Corp and served his country receiving an honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal. With plans to be a motorcycle cop in California, he drove cross country from Omaha and stopped along the way to meet an old friend in Lake Tahoe, CA. There he ended up meeting the love of his life, Cecilia Joyce. They married 3 years later at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe, CA. and just celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary earlier this year.

Upon the arrival of their daughter, Sarah Anne the family moved to NJ in 1991. John started as an apprentice plumber/pipefitter at Local UA Union 475 Steamfitters in Warren, NJ. While in NJ he went to massage school and became certified in Myofascial release and Jin Shin Do. He had a passion for martial arts and studied many art forms including Muay Thai, Savate, Pilipino Eskrima, Kung Fu San Soo, Jeet Kune Do, among others taking advantage of all there was to offer in the metropolitan area of NJ/NY, a mecca for martial arts. He led a lifestyle focused around fitness and healthy living.

In 1997, John moved to Central America with his family and mother-in-law, Lucy Joyce living on the tropical island of Roatán. John worked as a masseur at the scuba dive resorts on the island. In 2001, John and his family relocated to Albuquerque, NM where he joined the UA local Union 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters and remained a member til his death.

John was a life long learner and avid reader. He received his Associate of Applied Science (AAS) from the Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, NM. John was a dedicated and loving family man. He cherished his wife and daughter. Together they loved hiking, traveling and the outdoors.

John is survived by his wife, Cecilia Joyce Manriquez living in Santa Fe, NM and his daughter, Sarah Anne Manriquez living in Fairbanks, AK.

A celebration of life will be held at the Rivera Funeral Home’s Chapel of Light on Wednesday, July 20th, 2022, promptly at 6:00pm MST, 417 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505. There will be a live stream link provided upon request from the family.

John Manriquez will be laid to rest at Santa Fe National Cemetery.