With faith in the Risen Lord, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento announces the death of Deacon Pedro Manriquez, who entered eternal life on May 5, 2026, at the age of 96.
Ordained to the diaconate in 1987, Deacon Manriquez faithfully served the Diocese of Sacramento for more than 36 years through his ministry and dedication to the people of God.
Please pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family, friends and all who mourn his passing.
Pedro Manriquez was called from his earthly journey on May 5, 2026, at his home in Sacramento surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was a native of Michoacan, Mexico and the second oldest of his siblings. As a child of 7 years old he was expected to get up before sunrise, take the oxen to feed and water, come have breakfast and then go to school. He tells stories of being a little afraid of the dark and the wild animals he might encounter. But he was told to use the stars as his guide and stay close to his ox, as they would protect him. Waking up before sunrise and going to bed at sunset had been his habit throughout his 96 years of life. He said he enjoyed nature, helping work the land and going to school. His regret was not continuing his education; however, he was happy to help his parents as much as he could.
In his early teens, (around 1945) his family moved north to the state of Chihuahua. While his element was working the land, in the city he got a job at a neighborhood market working 7 days a week, from 5 am to 10 pm for $5 pesos a week. He said he enjoyed commerce and helping the customers with their daily purchase. He noticed that customers were often taken advantage and his goal, while there, was to protect them from those practices.
In 1950, someone came to his house looking for his father, who happened to be out of the city at the time. Pedro said, "I'm his son". Since his father was not there he was asked if he would be interested in the Brasero program. The brasero program was a U.S.-Mexico labor initiative from 1942 to 1964 that allowed millions of Mexican workers to temporarily work in the U.S. agriculture and railroads. Pedro was eligible because he was 21 and he was happy to know he had the opportunity to work in agriculture again. He was sad about leaving his family, especially his mother for months at a time. This work experience and his earnings not only allowed him to send money home to his family, it also earned him respect from his employers. So much so, that they went out of their way for him to become a permanent resident of the United States and be eligible to work in areas that paid higher wages.
In 1958 he married the love of his life, Maria del Carmen Antunez, in Juarez, Chihuahua. In these first ten years of their marriage there were challenges in continuously living together because his employment's accommodations weren't suited to a married couple. Pedro said he tried finding stable employment. He worked at different occupations, brick layer, hotel bus boy, delivery driver, ice maker, and farm ranch hand, but these were temporary. He was also limited in some positions because speaking English was required.
In the late 60s his sister told him Woodland, California had job opportunities. So in 1969 he brought his wife and four kids to California. The city of Winters was where Pedro found a home for his family in the city of Winters. It was there that he and his wife welcomed their fifth child. He fondly shared that the St. Anthony parish community and the parish priest welcomed him and his family with a welcome wagon of a few home furnishings and supplies. While living in Winters he was working in Woodland. For a few years Pedro would pack up his family and take them to Sunday mass, catechism, and volunteer/participate at church festivals. Seeking his children's best education Pedro enrolled his two older children at St. James Elementary School in Davis. For over a year he would drive them from Winters to school in Davis and he would drive to work in Woodland. Eventually he relocated to Woodland and enrolled his children in Holy Rosary. Within a couple of years Pedro applied for a self-help program to build a house in the town of Madison. Once he moved to Madison his children attended school in Esparto. In 1980 he sold his house and moved the family to Sacramento. He continued to commute to his job in Woodland until he retired.
Pedro and his wife's involvement and volunteerism in a variety of Catholic ministries in the Yolo, Sacramento and Sutter county parishes prompted a few clergy to invite Pedro to apply for the Diaconate Formation program. While he was appreciative of their supportive comments, he felt unworthy because he only had a third grade education. However, the continuous encouragement by various clergy and his belief that Jesus was calling him to serve him, prompted him to submit his application. He was accepted into the program and was ordained in 1987 as one of the first five Hispanic deacons of the Sacramento Diocese. Pedro's faith in Jesus was unquestionable. He often said the only reason he was still here was because Jesus had been by his side throughout the many difficult times in his life.
He served at St. Anne's parish for 25 years. When his wife got sick, he asked the Bishop to accept his request to retire so he could help care for his ill wife. Even though he retired, he continued to assist for the next 10 years, as needed, at the request of the parish priests. Pedro was highly respected and sought after by the parish community that he served.
Pedro is preceded in death by his parents Simeon Manriquez, Glafira Manriquez, his siblings, Amelia Estrada, Rafael Manriquez, his wife Maria del Carmen Manriquez, and his sons Gerardo Manriquez and Jose Pedro Manriquez. He is survived by his sister, Eloisa Hinojosa, his five children; Teresa Vera, Francisco Javier Manriquez (Martha Manriquez); Luz Angelica Manriquez-Uresti (Umberto Uresti), Lydia M. Flores (Tomas Flores), (Reyna Manriquez). Grandchildren; Monica Amezcua (Raphael Barrera), Ramiro Amezcua (Stephanie Amezcua), Carlos Amezcua (Ainie Ali), Courtney Manriquez (Nick Preddy), Diego Manriquez, Cesar Manriquez, Elias Manriquez, Claudia A. Gutierrez Uresti (Jose S. Gutierrez-Veterano), Umberto Esteban Uresti (Nancy Uresti-Aguirre), Pedro Adrian Uresti (Caroline Vega), Karina Flores, Tomas Flores, Selena Manriquez. Great grandchildren: Angel Amezcua, Francisco Barrera, Mikaeel Amezcua, Armaand Amezcua, Mairaa Amezcua, Adhaan Amezcua, Kaliyah Amezcua, Landon Basinger, Raylea Sinclair, JoseEduardo F. Gutierrez-Uresti, EnriqueDavid J. Gutierrez-Uresti, ChristianEmmanuel G. Gutierrez-Uresti, Emma Natalie Uresti, Jesus Andres Uresti, Elena Rose Uresti, Jazlyn Carmen Uresti. As well as eleven nieces and nephews and their children.
How will Pedro be remembered? There are many ways. A few include his quick wit, love of mariachi music, golden era songs, corridos, storytelling, sense of humor, his avocado tree, nopales, and his ability to knit words into poetry. The parish Hispanic community at St. Anne will always remember and miss the salsa he donated for the taco sales, his stories, and sharing moments of faith.
His family, will miss listening to his life adventures, words of advice, his singing, his jokes, his contagious laughter, his smile, his company, his unconditional love and his words as he gave us his blessing.
Vigil
May 26, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
St. Anne Parish
Funeral Liturgy
May 27, 2026
2:00 p.m.
St. Anne Parish
Presided by Most Rev. Rey Bersabal
Rite of Committal
May 27, 2026
4:00 p.m.
St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center - Reception to follow