Manuel E. Costa, Sr. was born March 9, 1918 in New Bedford, MA and passed away March 2, 1992. In the late1930’s Manny enrolled in the Army Officers’ school and became a first Lieutenant and served ...view moreManuel E. Costa, Sr. was born March 9, 1918 in New Bedford, MA and passed away March 2, 1992. In the late1930’s Manny enrolled in the Army Officers’ school and became a first Lieutenant and served in the army for 3 years. He attended Lincoln University and Brown University where he was a four-letter man in Basketball, Football, Track, and High Jumping. Later, he would graduate from Bridgewater State Teachers College. Manny was a mentor, teacher, civil rights activist, writer, TV hosts, coach, politician, social worker, gymnast instructor, writer and much more. “Manuel E. Costa, Sr. is the closest New Bedford Massachusetts has ever come to producing a Paul Robeson in every way. He was an incredible person. In terms of his committed life of progressive activism, his stellar athleticism, the broad and deep humanity and he was a one man social service agency.” One city official stated “there will never be another man like Manny Costa in New Bedford that will do what he did during his lifetime - it would take 12 men to fill his shoes”.view less