MANNING, FRANCIS E., JR.

CWO4 (Ret) Francis Edward (Joe) Manning, Jr., 85, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and faithful member of the Catholic Church passed away on January 17, 2008. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 30, 1922, he was preceded in death by his parents Francis E. Manning, Sr. and Margaret (McDermott) Lufkin, sister Marge Barry, wife Lillian, son Michael, and great-granddaughter Allyson Lane. He is survived by his children Patricia Manning, Steven Manning, and Margaret (George) Rodriguez, grandchildren Jennifer Lane, Johnathon Lane, Rachel Rodriguez, and Jeremy Rodriguez, great-grandson Aiden, Joseph, Morgan, Diego, and Lillian. He is also survived by his close and devoted friend, Carmen Rodriguez and a large, cherished, extended family since Margaret married George 25 years ago. The three loves of his life were God, family, and the military. He joined the U.S. Marines Raider Battalion after the bombing of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. He fought in the South Pacific. Following an honorable discharge from the Marines, he worked in a variety of jobs including taxi driver, short order cook, and draftsman for M.I.T. In 1950, when so many were leaving the military during the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. That August he married Lillian F. St. Germain in Wakefield, R.I. They were stationed at Ft. Bliss several times, Okinawa, and other locales during his 27 years of service. He retired as a CWO4 at Ft. Bliss in 1974. He was highly decorated, receiving the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Basic and Expert Missileman Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal with OLC, and Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC. Following Army retirement, he worked several years for Metropolitan Life Insurance. For 35 years, he was an active member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Parish, attending daily mass and weekly novenas to St. Jude. He was a regular at McDonald’s, sharing stories and breakfast with his buddies. His best role, even on his last day, was being our Knight in Shining Armor. He was there for anyone who needed him, but most especially for his family and dear friends. We wish to thank Dr. Howard and the ER staff at Del Sol, as well as the EMS personnel for their efforts and caring ways at the end. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials be made to St. Raphael Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 4-9 pm with Holy Rosary at 7 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2008. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 25, 2008 at 11:45 am at St. Raphael’s on Zanzibar and interment at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors immediately following.