Manuel G. Rios “Meme” age 58 passed away at his residence in Alamo, Texas on December 8, 2023 from a brief illness. Meme is survived by his precious and loving mother, Esperanza Rios, and loving brothers Benedicto Don Juan Rios and Freddy Guzman. Preceded in death by his fond Father Manuel Guzman and his loving brother Raul Ismael Rios. He is also survived by his maternal aunts Natividad Aldaco (the late + Joseph Luz Aldaco) and Refugio Gonzalez (the late + Cesar Gonzalez) and many loving family members and loving friends.
Meme was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois in Pilsen at 1920 South Racine Avenue. He attended Komensky Elementary School, Cooper Upper Grade Center, and briefly at Benito Juarez High School.
Our grandmother, Anita Rios raised Meme until her death. She unconditionally loved Meme so much that she created a spoiled brat! When Meme would get into trouble as a young child, she would yell at Meme from the second floor window and say “Manuel” what are you doing?” in Spanish as she would witness his mischievous ways. He would look up at the window and point and blame everybody else and would say “Pero Welita yo no!” so everyone else could take the blame. We all spoiled Meme in more ways than one.
He was in sports growing up and baseball was his passion. Meme was an avid CHICAGO CUBS fanatic and witness the CHICAGO CUBS World Series Championship in 2016. He was a straight up Chicagoan sports fan to the heart! He was a jokester, loved to dance, and a melomaniac as he loved all genres of music.
Meme originally moved to McAllen, Texas in the year 2013, then moved to Alamo, Texas in 2018. This is where he bought his new home at Royal Palms for his mother and brother to start a new life. He worked at Bland Distribution (Bland Farms) in Donna, Texas until he gained his angel wings.
Meme cared like a brother, protected like a brother, made time for us like a brother. We are truly grateful to have had him as part of us, our bond. We are truly blessed to have Meme whom we call brother. The outspoken one, the man whose voice made a difference in times of need and petty quarrels. He was such an incredible force in our lives, a brave friend, and in our family, a dear son, brother, cousin, nephew, and stepfather, as well as a loving caring friend to his work family out in Donna, Texas.
Meme was a beacon of positivity and humor that could always be counted on to lighten any atmosphere. His life was defined by an unwavering commitment to his loved ones and an innate ability to bring joy to others. Meme’s life was a testament to the words of Albert Einstein, “Try not to become a man of success, rather become a man of value.”
The sudden passing of Meme has understandably had a devastating effect on his loving family and many loving friends. We are broken because he is gone, yet whole because he was here for a brief time. We thought we had so many decades together until the end. His memory will live in our hearts, so really we will never be apart.
His worth was not measured by the material possessions he acquired but by the love he shared, the lives he touched, and the laughter he induced. Meme was a man of great value especially to his beloved mother, Esperanza and brother Benny. They were his world and his undying love for them was evident in every action he took. Meme was a beacon of hope and a source of strength for his family. His unwavering love and dedication will forever be imprinted on their hearts. Meme’s jovial spirit and infectious laughter echoes in the hearts of all those he has left behind. His legacy will be carried forward by his beloved mother, Esperanza and his brother Benny and a community that will forever remember the man with a heart full of compassion and an undying zeal for life.
Visitation: Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Christian Fellowship Church, 4220 West 59th Street Chicago, Illinois 60629 (Corner of 59th Street and Tripp Avenue) from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pastor Rodney Massey will speak of Meme’s celebration of life at 5:00 p.m. Meme’s brother, Benny will be calling to send a heartfelt message for his brother at 6:00 p.m. Cremation will be Private. Interment will take place at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois on a later date.
Meme’s life was a beautiful journey that touched many hearts. Please join us in commemorating his life by sharing your memories and leaving a message for his mother and brother on this memorial page. Your shared memories will serve as a comforting reminder of the joy and liveliness that Meme brought into our lives We ask that in lieu of flowers heartfelt donations are welcomed and envelopes will be provided at the service.
For those who are unable to attend the service you can click on the link below to view his services online by clicking the following link: https://meet.google.com/hzi-uhvf-ssq?hs=224
On behalf of Meme’s mother, brother and entire family we want to thank everyone so very much for all your love and support through this difficult time in our lives. Meme will be truly missed.
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Tears continue to flow down my face as I reflect on my Cousin Meme’s infectious LOVE for God and Caring Love for people he knew and enjoyed being around. Till we Meet again you were like my little brother cause I was 6 months older than you and I was named after your Mom.
Many fond memories my brother. Say hello to Ismo for me brother. See you both when it’s my time.❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️
Rest in PeaCe my beloved brother. Thank you for always looking out for my Mom out there in Texas. Keeping her with that chi-town spirit. See you when my time comes.
Rest In peace brother
Rest in peace cuz thank you for everything I’ll never you watch us over and will see you again one day at them golden gates love you
GOD BLESS YOU MEME. YOU WERE A TRUE SOLDIER. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. LOVED YOUR MOM QND YOUR BROTHER BENNY. MY HEART IS BROKEN WITH YOU LOSS.. YOU WILL DEARLY BE MISSED . AMOR HERMANO
May Meme’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen 🙏🏼
Truly, I don’t know where to begin. This is my third attempt at trying to get through this to describe how dear you were to me we became instant friends . I saw you every single day, dragging one of your brothers with you coming over to our house hanging out and playing sports at Dvorak you were always at my games! We were inseparable and you were my best friend it saddens me that you will no longer be in my life, but knowing that you are at rest in our Lords kingdom, gives me great peace there’s so much that I can say, no one will ever understand what a beautiful relationship we had. We had a beautiful friendship throughout all these years. When you were away, I wrote to you I wrote to you for 20 years we shared our experiences and made our own memories together you living vicariously through my written letters, I was so proud of what you had accomplished , while you were away, you took great advantage of that time and I will forever be proud of you and I will forever love you, my dearest dearest, Meme I will miss you. No one will ever understand how special you were to me. I miss you already and I will miss you always. You were not only loved by me, but you were loved by my family as well , rest in peace, my brother! Descansa en Paz
This man would never fail to be the person who would exemplify what it meant to be a benevolence to the people around him. He was not a person of selfishness, but of support. The man I knew was a not a person of malevolence, but of kindness. He had duties to the place he worked at, and to the people who worked with or near him. Such a kind soul, one would not think he was something else in the times of his youth. God was good to him. My heart is shattered knowing I will never physically hug him again, hear about his past, projects he is working on. Get random phone calls inviting me to his house. In the Bible it states in John 15:13, No one has greater love than this, that someone who would lay his life down for his friends. Something he committed himself to the very end. Always willing to give his time to help people in need. I will sorely miss you my Brotha. Thank you for the support. I wouldn’t be where I am at, If it weren’t for you.
This man would never fail to be the person who would exemplify what it meant to be a benevolence to the people around him. He was not a person of selfishness, but of support. The man I knew was a not a person of malevolence, but of kindness. He had duties to the place he worked at, and to the people who worked with or near him. Such a kind soul, one would not think he was something else in the times of his youth. God was good to him. My heart is shattered knowing I will never physically hug him again, hear about his past, projects he is working on. Get random phone calls inviting me to his house. In the Bible it states in John 15:13, No one has greater love than this, that someone who would lay his life down for his friends. Something he committed himself to the very end. Always willing to give his time to help people in need. I will sorely miss you my Brotha. Thank you for the support. I wouldn’t be where I am at, If it weren’t for you.
Meme and my brother were best friends at Komensky school. And he became my friend me and Meme went to my Junior Prom In 1980 I still have the picture he will truly be missed my deepest condolences to his Mother Esperanza and brother Benny in difficult time
Meme and my little brother were friends at komensky grammar school. Meme took me to my Junior prom on June 5, 1980 Even though I was sick with a fever you had me laughing the whole night. I still have the picture of us but I don’t know how to post it here My deepest condolences to his mother Esperanza and brother Benny . Meme you will truly be missed RIP Manuel Rios Aka Meme
My name is Roland and I’m just gonna ask if you can send it to me bcuz I never knew that he did that for you and I was one of the many people who got to know him and hang out with him on Racine…. I’m not sure what or how I can say what is on my mind bcuz Meme and I weren’t just friends,.. WE were brothers from different mothers and even though we had different personalities…He was ONE brother that always understood My meaning & thoughts…so I just wanted to say thank you for sharing how Cool 😎 my little brother was….
This is definitely da hardest letter to write to express my THOUGHTS…… MEME 🇹🇹🎩🛡️🧛🏻♂️♥️🖤💔🧛🏼💯‼️
Damn I’m gonna miss you bro….there isn’t a lot of people in our circle of brothers that can really say that they really knew da path we paved out 4 everyone else that came after US, da struggles we endured while we were in “college”😎
When I spoke to you, you listened, when you spoked to me…I talked….. You allowed me to be me and always had My back when everyone else wouldn’t….I used to like it when you TOLD everyone that yeah I might say or do sh#t that everyone else thinks is wrong….”Man Dat’s Lil Lep” “If you think that he’s wrong then let him know because he’ll understand da TRUTH but if YOU lie just to get what you want or need God help you”
God forgive me for my sinful ways and open up your arms and accept my little brother Meme into your great kingdom…..∀mor
I’ll miss you bro……. Lil Lepke
Amen…
To Manuel’s family and loved ones, I hope you’ll accept my sincere condolences. I only met Manuel once, at a hearing for his brother Benny. But as so many people have mentioned, his smile and laugh were infectious, and he had such a welcoming spirit. May his love be eternal. 💖
So sorry for the loss of your beloved family member, Meme. He was a great person. He will be in my prayers. As will all the family.
REST IN ETERNITY Meme, you are now with the LORD, Ismael, and all we’ve loss along the way. Wonderful memories, and your smile and laughter will never be forgotten.
God bless you Benny… Esperanza
Amazing service with the WORD!
To Memes family. I offer my deep condolences. I remember Meme when he was young. He was always smiling and happy. When I met up with him as an adult, he was the same, still happy and smiling. I real always remember him this way. May God be with all of his family at this time and give them courage, strength and peace.
Great memories
Great soul you’re Meme
Gonna miss your smile…
Rest in Eternal Life 🙏✌️🤟🧬
My deepest condolences to the Rios family. Meme will continue to live in our hearts and memories. RIP my brother.