Joel Lorenzo Manalang, age 62 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

Born on March 19, 1961, in Tarlac, Philippines, son of the late Eliseo Manalang, Sr. and Guadelia Lorenzo Manalang, Joel came to the United States in 1999, raised his family in Evansville, IN, before moving to Lawrenceville and in 2013, he moved to Flemington, NJ.

Joel loved art, music, and nature. He was a man of many skills, crafts, and roles, but his favorite role of all was being a father. He nurtured his children with tremendous love and instilled in them values of respect, creativity, and joy. Joel was a caring husband who loved his wife deeply for 36 beautiful years.

He was a devout Catholic, born on the Feast Day of St. Joseph, and devotee of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. He dedicated his life to being of service to others – whether it be driving his family and friends to work and school, laying the floors of the house, or brightening someone’s day by making them laugh.

Joel fought his battle with cancer without fear, never losing hope and his sense of humor. His unexpected and clever punchlines will be missed. His brave and vibrant soul will be missed even more.

Joel was an example for us all. He taught us that real love is embodied through creation.

Surviving are his wife, Dolly; children, Justin John Manalang, Jules Marcelo Manalang, Vida Leonarda Manalang; brothers, Eliseo Manalang, Jr. and his wife, Zenaida, Andrew Manalang, and Gregory Manalang and his wife, Gloria; sisters, Imelda Wurm and her husband, Winefred, Nancy Yatco and her husband, Allan, and Eva Corazon Manalang; his loving cat, Gary Beans; many extended family; and several dear friends.

Joel will lie in repose on Monday, June 5, 2023, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. John Primich will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive at the church on Tuesday morning at 9:45 a.m., and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Entombment in a family niche will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Burial Park & Mausoleum, 840 Cranbury South River Road, Jamesburg, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet at the cemetery Friday morning by 10:45 a.m..

You are encouraged to visit Joel’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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