Born in Havana, Cuba on October 2, 1945, to Manuel M. Crespo, and Esther Morales. He was the middle child between two sisters Margararita, his senior, and Josefina, his junior.

His family moved to Miami, Florida sometime in 1950 while his father pursued additional medical training. After extended stays in the United States, the family decided to remain permanently.

Manny received his elementary and middle school education at Gesu Catholic School, and went on to high school at Archbishop Curley. While at Curley Manny was a valued member of the football team. He graduated in 1963.

In June of 1968 he married Aracely “Susan” Soto. They quickly started a family by welcoming their first born, Manuel Luciano, on March 21, 1969. Their second child, Elizabeth Ann followed eight years later, on May 6, 1977.

While he was busy with his new family, Manny graduated from Miami Dade Community College with an Associate Degree in 1968 and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1970. Two years after graduating from college, he left for Memphis, Tennessee where he attended Memphis State University and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1975. During that time Manny traveled frequently back and forth from Miami where his wife and son continued to live.

Manny was admitted to practice law in both Tennessee and Florida in 1976. Manny and Aracely worked tirelessly sending out résumés until he obtained his first legal position with the firm of Carlos Lidsky, P.A. After about three years, Manny decided to strike out on his own and developed a successful solo practice.

Despite his busy practice, Manny always found the time to be involved in professional associations and community organizations. He was significantly involved in the Cuban American Bar Association, Spanish American League Against Discrimination, the Dade County Community Relations Board, the Theodore R. Gibson Memorial Fund, and the Florida Bar Board of Governors. He also held positions of leadership in most of these:

• Elected President of the Cuban American Bar in 1981.
• First Cuban-American elected to the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar and he served from 1988-1993. Chaired the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for Miami-Dade County.

• Became Chairman of the Community Relations Board and served from 1980-1981.

In 1991, Manny Crespo Jr. joined him in his private practice and once he was satisfied his son was able to carry on alone, he decided to pursue his life dream of becoming a judge. He ran for election to a vacant judicial seat in Miami-Dade County’s Circuit Court and was elected in 1997. In 2003, he ran again, unopposed, and was re-elected to his seat on the bench. During his tenure on the bench, Manny presided over a number of high-profile criminal cases, and received many accolades for his unwavering dedication to fairness and running a courtroom where everyone was heard. He served the citizens of Miami-Dade County until his death on January 8, 2006, having heard his last trial the day before.

Through his years of service to the community and the bar he received the honorary proclamations from City of West Miami, City of Miami, City of Hialeah, City of Sweetwater and Appreciation Certificates from the Community Relations Board, Dade County Police Benevolent Association, the Pro-Bono Service Award, Spanish American League Against Discrimination.

Manny is survived by his wife, Aracely “Susie” Crespo, his two children, Manny Jr., and Elizabeth Ann, his two grandsons, Julian and Oliver, and his two sisters, Margarita and Josefina.