Manuel C. “Manny” Correira

Manuel C. “Manny” Correira, 77, longtime reporter/ photographer, formerly of East Bay Newspapers and the Providence Journal, who is known far and wide for his sports writing, special features, and photography, has been named the 2021 Bristol Sports Club “Man of the Year.”

The Bristol Sports Man of the Year banquet will be held, Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Bristol Sports Club Hall on 417 Wood St. A cocktail hour will be held at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets can be obtained by contacting the Bristol Sports Club at (401) 253-4769.

Most recently, Manny was inducted into the Words Unlimited Hall of Fame in 2019. He is believed to be the first sportswriter of Portuguese descent to be inducted into this prestigious Hall of Fame. For a number of years, he wrote a "Townie Talk" area column spotlighting East Providence residents. He also was noted for his coverage of Newport County athletes during this same time period. For a brief time during the mid-2000s, Manny worked as a writer and photographer with The Scene Journal in Swansea, Mass.

He also served as the first full-time sports information director at Roger Williams University from 1982 to 1985.

Mr. Correira, is a native Bristolian, and a 1962 graduate of the former Colt Memorial High School, where he was sports editor of his school newspaper. Up until the COVID 19 pandemic, which caused havoc with area businesses, Manny worked as a contributing writer and photographer with the East Bay Media Group. He also contributes as a special features writer and photographer with Magazine Apraca.

Previously, Manny was inducted into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame, the Warren Athletic Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Rhode Island Press Association Journalism Hall of Fame (again, the first inductee of Portuguese heritage from Bristol). Manny is also a member of the Rhode Island Matadors Drum & Bugle Corps Hall of Fame. He has also been nominated for induction into the New England Newspaper and Press Association. In 2010, he was named the Knights of Corte Reais “Knight of the Year.”

In addition, during his years as a special features writer/photographer with the Providence Journal’s Metro Section, Mr. Correira enjoyed contributing to his “Townie Talk” column regularly in East Providence. “It was one of the highlights of my career,” he noted. “The people who live in East Providence and neighboring communities always welcomed me with open arms. I wish I could relive those special moments.” Mr. Correira's "Townie Talk" column featured dozens of stories and profiles of East Providence High School athletes, coaches, volunteers and community leaders.

Among Correira’s other many accomplishments, was being named Chief Marshal of the 2007 Bristol Fourth of July Parade, and 1991 Fourth of July Patriotic Exercises Speaker.

Mr. Correira is the son of the late Manuel C. Correira and Emily R. (Federico) Correira. He is the husband of the former Bernice “Bunny” Pimental, and has two children and five grandchildren. He also has three stepchildren, and 10 step-grandchildren, and nine step great-grandchildren.