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Las Vegas, NV – John Manzi of Mongaup Valley, New York, a Hall of Fame harness racing publicist, former driver, and the familiar voice of Sunday-night doo-wop radio in the Catskills, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2026, at the Las Vegas home of his daughter Michelle, surrounded by family. He was 82.
Born into one of harness racing’s most respected families, John was the son of John Manzi Sr. and Caroline Manzi of Mongaup Valley, New York. Racing was in his blood. He began his career behind the horses as a driver at Monticello Raceway, affectionately known as the “Mighty M,” the world’s fastest half-mile track.
John Manzi, 1944-2026
In 1980, John became the track’s publicity director, a position he would transform into something of an art form. Over the following decades, he became one of the sport’s most colorful and recognizable personalities. John never met a publicity stunt he didn’t like. Under his watch, elephants, camels, New York Giants football players, and a memorable assortment of other characters found their way onto the Monticello oval. Behind the spectacle was a simple philosophy: make people smile and give them a reason to come to the racetrack.
His contributions to the sport earned him induction into the Communicators Corner of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2006. He retired in December 2014, following a remarkable 50-year career in harness racing.
But Sunday nights belonged to the music.
For 38 years, John hosted The Bop Shop on WVOS radio, filling the Catskills airwaves with doo-wop, oldies, and the unmistakable sound of his voice. For four hours every Sunday evening, beginning at 8 p.m., he shared the records he loved with generations of listeners. The show became a Sunday-night tradition and the longest-running radio program in the Catskills. As his listeners often remarked, four hours never seemed quite long enough.
Away from the racetrack and radio microphone, John was devoted to his family. He loved gathering around a table, playing cards, sharing a meal, and telling stories. He took his daughters fishing, cheered from the sidelines at soccer games and school events, and brought the same lively spirit to family gatherings that made him so memorable to his loved ones. For all his public accomplishments, it was these everyday moments that his family will remember most.
John is survived by his daughters, Tracey Manzi and Michelle Miller; his sons-in-law, Tim McNamara and Scott Miller; his cherished grandchildren, Elizabeth Kim and Clare McNamara; his brothers, Gerard Manzi and Gary Manzi; and many, many cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sharon Manzi, in 2012, and by his parents.
Services will be held at the Church of Saint Peter, 10 Liberty Street, Monticello, New York 12701, on November 9 at 10:00 a.m. sharp.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, 240 Main Street, Goshen, New York 10924, at harnessmuseum.com/donations, or to Goshen Historic Track, 44 Park Place, Goshen, New York 10924.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, 240 Main Street, Goshen, New York 10924, on November 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p/m/. All are welcome.
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