Manuel Enrique Guzman-Contreras Martin

November 21, 1999 – April 30, 2022

Manuel Enrique Guzman-Contreras Martin, 22, of Portland Oregon passed away on April 30, 2022 with his mother by his side. Manuel was born in Portland Oregon to mother Sonnita Louise Martin and father Manuel Guzman-Contreras. ”Bug” was a true leader and was proactive and self-motivated when it came to his Native culture, he himself fully embraced his role as a grass dancer at countless pow-wows growing up, he enjoyed hitting the pow-wow trail with his grandmother to dance and placed 1st in the teen boys’ category at the 20th annual MSU pow-wow. Bug was also very proud of his Mexican culture, community and was always proud to have strengthened his Spanish while living with his grandparents on his father’s side.

From his kind and generous soul and heart, to his effortless ways of making anyone he crossed paths with laugh and smile, he was quick to greet his neighbors hello and created so many friendships especially on his time spent with the Siletz youth council.

We want to put emphasis on how important it is to honor Manuels’ memory by celebrating him in the best way possible and that is to make the most of each day, to not be sad but to remember him through his love of pow-wows, grass dancing, laughter, generosity and how compassionate he was to those he cared for.

Manuel was one of a kind. He was someone who was never shy of confidence, was never afraid to be himself. He was a true social butterfly that would give the shirt off his back to help in any way he could. Manuel was the life of every party. He lit up a room like no one else could and was never afraid of the spotlight.

He was unforgettable in every aspect. Everyone he met he made feel like family. He was funny, always had a smile and knew how to get people to laugh. He was a graduate, son, brother, nephew and uncle who was loved by all. He was a true adventurer who always wanted to find something new.

Manuel would want all of us to be happy, not sad, and celebrate his life and party like only he could and for that he will always be unforgettable.