John Mcmanus
February 6, 1958 — November 11, 2022
McManus, John J. – Friday, November 11, 2022. Beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Donohue); father of Martina Ann and John Patrick; son of the late Geraldine A. and John Joseph (Jack) McManus; brother of Geraldine Ann McManus (Paul Dembinski), Eileen Kennedy (Patrick); Mary McManus McElroy (Jim, deceased), Kathleen McManus (Phil); brother-in-law to Chris, Ann Marie Pandolfino (Mike), Dennis (Cassie); uncle of Elizabeth Vargo (Colin), Matthew, Deirdre, Jack, James, John, Joseph, Thomas, Dennis, Arlene, Robert, Cassie, Toni Ann, Liam and cherished friend to many.
A graduate of Xaverian High School and St. Joseph College (now University) in Brooklyn, John met his wife, Kathleen, also from Brooklyn, and they set out to make their lives in the sunnier climes of Florida. A February baby, when he was growing up it always seemed to snow on John's birthday, and it appeared to be a deciding factor in moving to a place where "shoveling sunshine" was the order of the winter months. John was thrilled to live in a place as beautiful as Palm Beach and for him and Kathleen to raise their children there. He extolled the amazing weather, especially to relatives and friends up north, encouraging many to make the move to Florida where the balmy breezes from the Intercoastal and the allure of the wide beaches, together with the lush tropical gardens and majestic palm trees, made it a no brainer for any rational person to see how wonderful it would be to share Florida with John and his family.
John’s longtime interest in the medical profession, led him to medical school on the island of St. Lucia, and then to a career in documenting and advancing medical treatment breakthroughs. Heading up his own firm, John specialized in designing and administering drug trials for a variety of pharmaceutical companies. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life allowed him to keep up with the demands of precise medical procedures and reporting, while making trials available and accessible to all those who would benefit from them. He spent long hours breaking down sometimes well-established distrust of the medical professions so that studies of medicines would reflect all that they could serve. His daughter, Martina, often assisted him, having the ability to put young children at ease as her dad worked with their parents. When he became a licensed driver, his son, John Patrick, was a great help in running errands, taking on increased responsibility.
John’s facility with languages and ability to talk with anyone was legendary. Never at a loss for words, he was able to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He had an effortless ability to make connections and we would marvel at how quickly he could get to know someone and be let into their experience of life. John could coax a laugh out of anyone and really honored the stories of all those he met. He had a talent for being at the center of happy meetings and for putting people at ease, no matter the circumstances.
Fiercely devoted to family, he was very much a hands-on Dad, taking an interest in all the details of raising his children, and quick to both advocate for them and beside them. A devoted cook, he made fabulous meals and the kitchen messes to match; as young children, John Patrick and Martina remembered opening sleepy eyes to start their days with watermelon and other fruit as a warmup to breakfast. His mouth-watering roasts and delicious side dishes were always crowd pleasers. The Florida experience of access to an outdoor swimming pool year-round was a pleasure he never took for granted, as it bemused and delighted him, and he made sure that Martina and John Patrick spent many happy hours swimming. John's love of fishing also served as a way to build character, as both father and son had the opportunity to cultivate patience as they enjoyed this pastime. He had a knack for elevating the seemingly ordinary aspects of life, pointing out their significance and giving them their due as he loved to explain the connections inherent in them that others would miss. John realized that the commonalities of life truly united people and made us all the friends we simply hadn’t met yet.
John’s faith was central to his identity, having inherited a strong sense of the beauty and truth of Catholicism from his upbringing. He strove to share that with his family, teaching his children about the traditional and contemporary expressions of the Church he loved. This included his particular reverence for the Traditional Latin Mass, which his son also shared. Even as health issues began to demand more of his attention, he modeled for his family perseverance and steadfastness in the face of illness. Always forward-focused, John maintained the day-to-day as best he could while looking to the future with faith and hope. A present and involved Dad and husband for the duration of his race on earth, there is no doubt John will continue to cheer on his family and intercede for them in heaven.
With Kathleen by his side, they found a footing and established the “Florida branch of the family”. They made marriage a loving partnership in a state and community they took on as their own, together building a firm foundation for their family. This legacy will serve Martina and John Patrick well as it is built on the daily lived virtues of faith, hope, and love. We are thankful for John’s life and his loving family. Requiescat in Pace.
Friends will be received at Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home, 599 N.E. 15th Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lantana, Florida. Burial will follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
A graduate of Xaverian High School and St. Joseph College (now University) in Brooklyn, John met his wife, Kathleen, also from Brooklyn, and they set out to make their lives in the sunnier climes of Florida. A February baby, when he was growing up it always seemed to snow on John's birthday, and it appeared to be a deciding factor in moving to a place where "shoveling sunshine" was the order of the winter months. John was thrilled to live in a place as beautiful as Palm Beach and for him and Kathleen to raise their children there. He extolled the amazing weather, especially to relatives and friends up north, encouraging many to make the move to Florida where the balmy breezes from the Intercoastal and the allure of the wide beaches, together with the lush tropical gardens and majestic palm trees, made it a no brainer for any rational person to see how wonderful it would be to share Florida with John and his family.
John’s longtime interest in the medical profession, led him to medical school on the island of St. Lucia, and then to a career in documenting and advancing medical treatment breakthroughs. Heading up his own firm, John specialized in designing and administering drug trials for a variety of pharmaceutical companies. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life allowed him to keep up with the demands of precise medical procedures and reporting, while making trials available and accessible to all those who would benefit from them. He spent long hours breaking down sometimes well-established distrust of the medical professions so that studies of medicines would reflect all that they could serve. His daughter, Martina, often assisted him, having the ability to put young children at ease as her dad worked with their parents. When he became a licensed driver, his son, John Patrick, was a great help in running errands, taking on increased responsibility.
John’s facility with languages and ability to talk with anyone was legendary. Never at a loss for words, he was able to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He had an effortless ability to make connections and we would marvel at how quickly he could get to know someone and be let into their experience of life. John could coax a laugh out of anyone and really honored the stories of all those he met. He had a talent for being at the center of happy meetings and for putting people at ease, no matter the circumstances.
Fiercely devoted to family, he was very much a hands-on Dad, taking an interest in all the details of raising his children, and quick to both advocate for them and beside them. A devoted cook, he made fabulous meals and the kitchen messes to match; as young children, John Patrick and Martina remembered opening sleepy eyes to start their days with watermelon and other fruit as a warmup to breakfast. His mouth-watering roasts and delicious side dishes were always crowd pleasers. The Florida experience of access to an outdoor swimming pool year-round was a pleasure he never took for granted, as it bemused and delighted him, and he made sure that Martina and John Patrick spent many happy hours swimming. John's love of fishing also served as a way to build character, as both father and son had the opportunity to cultivate patience as they enjoyed this pastime. He had a knack for elevating the seemingly ordinary aspects of life, pointing out their significance and giving them their due as he loved to explain the connections inherent in them that others would miss. John realized that the commonalities of life truly united people and made us all the friends we simply hadn’t met yet.
John’s faith was central to his identity, having inherited a strong sense of the beauty and truth of Catholicism from his upbringing. He strove to share that with his family, teaching his children about the traditional and contemporary expressions of the Church he loved. This included his particular reverence for the Traditional Latin Mass, which his son also shared. Even as health issues began to demand more of his attention, he modeled for his family perseverance and steadfastness in the face of illness. Always forward-focused, John maintained the day-to-day as best he could while looking to the future with faith and hope. A present and involved Dad and husband for the duration of his race on earth, there is no doubt John will continue to cheer on his family and intercede for them in heaven.
With Kathleen by his side, they found a footing and established the “Florida branch of the family”. They made marriage a loving partnership in a state and community they took on as their own, together building a firm foundation for their family. This legacy will serve Martina and John Patrick well as it is built on the daily lived virtues of faith, hope, and love. We are thankful for John’s life and his loving family. Requiescat in Pace.
Friends will be received at Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home, 599 N.E. 15th Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lantana, Florida. Burial will follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
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