At a somber ceremony in MIT's campus chapel yesterday afternoon, more than 100 friends and faculty celebrated the life of MIT first-year Michael P. Manley.

Manley, who died Feb. 6 in an apparent suicide, was remembered as a "passionate" and "enthusiastic" friend who struggled with bouts of depression during his teenage years.

"He had the best laugh...the loudest laugh," said a friend who identified herself as Camille, one of his closest friends.

Her eyes tearing and her voice close to a whisper, Camille described how Manley was one of the most "loving" people she knew.

"He was sensitive and he was so intelligent...I will miss him so much," she said. "It's amazing how many things you can learn about somebody in so short a time...too short a time."

A woman who identified herself as Manley's fall semester writing instructor read aloud passages from papers he had written.

In one of the papers, Manley acknowledged a battle with manic depression, saying he had "recovered."

He also mentioned his questioning faith, writing that "sometimes...[it] has comforted me well like a blanket, but sometimes I feel it is only a blanket."

The audience also heard from Albert, a high school friend of Manley's, who spoke of his delight at knowing Manley.

"I always told him I'd take care of him. The only thing that keeps me not guilty is that here he had the best of friends," he said.

His voice breaking, Albert continued, "Michael was someone I cared deeply about."

But the ceremony was not entirely solemn.

Friend after friend recalled Manley's love of things edible, from his late night ice-cream runs to his insatiable appetite for pies. Two friends told of Manley's penchant for baking, overcooking and then eating cakes.

"It was the most horrible cake, and he ate all of it," said a friend.

Another friend recalled that Manley had once consumed three pounds of ice cream in one night.