One by one, tenants at 120 E. 90th St. have been bidding farewell to their longtime doorman, who is retiring.

After more than 50 years, Manuel Teixeira is one of the longest-serving tenured doorman in the city — and may even be the longest-serving. But his shift is coming to a close.

“I couldn’t sleep the last three nights thinking about it," Teixeira said. "What am I going to do with myself after all these years? The most important thing I’m going to miss is people."

Teixeira, who is originally from Brazil, is 83 years old. He first came to the building in the 1960s, when he was 21.

“My father was the first superintendent in the building, so my father brought me here," he said. "He quit, he went to another bigger building someplace else, and I didn’t like to move all the time, so I stayed."

Faithfully, no matter the weather, he’s been there, starting his day bright and early working the front desk from about 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is actually the second time he’s retiring; the first was in 1983, but he said at that time, he just wasn’t ready, so he came back.

“In the past, this building was like a family home, everybody confiding in everybody," he said. "I have seen people have babies, and the babies having babies."

Over the years, he has become a fixture — not just in the building, but on East 90th Street. Those who know him affectionately call him "Manny."

“He's the best doorman. He's courteous with everybody. That's why he lasted so many years — 50-some-odd years in the building. There’s not going to be another one like him,” said Tito Rosado, a former mailman who came back to say goodbye.

Residents agree with Rosado, saying Teixeira always greets everyone with a smile, remembers their names and is quick to lend a helping hand. Within these walls, he’s considered more than just a doorman.

“We are just so grateful for Manny's service during all these years, he's like a member of the family” said Ken Schwartz, a resident since 1999.  

“He’s smart, he’s reliable, he’s got a sense of humor he’s on the case. He's a man's man,” said John Sawyers, a resident of the building since 1994.  

As he exited his post for the last time, Teixeira was treated to car service home. Residents said the legacy he leaves behind is one of kindness, compassion and community. 

“This is a job that requires patience and liking people, and I love people, so to me I was home,” Teixeira said.

His retirement is not all sadness. The building's residents are planning a big party to celebrate and thank him for his service in May.