Michael J. McManus, retired Police Chief for the Town of Winthrop passed away on December 22, 2022. He was 80 years old. Michael was the beloved husband of Francine R. (Silva) McManus. Born in the Mission Hill section of Boston, he was the cherished son of the late Thomas and Nancy (O’Reilly) McManus.
Michael served six years in the U.S Army Reserve from 1961-1967.
Michael joined the Winthrop Police Department as a Reserve Officer on October 27, 1966 and became a Permanent Full-Time Officer on February 26, 1968. He became a Sergeant on June 2, 1983 and served in that position until his subsequent promotion to Lieutenant on March 14, 1988. Mike served as Acting Chief twice, from January 31, 1995 to July 26, 1995 and from July 1, 1999 to March 13, 2000 before becoming the permanent Chief of Police on December 26, 2000.
Michael was the devoted father of Maureen Hill and her husband Brad of Martha’s Vineyard, Paula McManus of Wellesley, Michael McManus and his wife Christine of Winthrop, Deborah McManus of Hopkinton, Thomas McManus and his wife Vicka of Boston, Sheri DeSimone of Revere, Joseph Generazzo of Boston and Kimberly MacElree and her husband Scott of Winthrop. He was the adored “Papa’ and “Grampy” to Erin and Devin Hill, Olivia and Jake McManus, Kierin and Henry McManus, Skyla and Vittorio DeSimone, Dominic, Anyia, Guilianna and Jaxon Generazzo and Cody, Tyler and Alexis MacElree. Michael was the dear brother of Anne Reidy and her husband Richard of Melrose, Winifred Schlehuber and her late husband Andy of Mission Hill, the late Thomas McManus and his surviving wife Betty of Chestnut Hill and the late Patricia Jankauska. He was the brother-in-law to Joseph Silva and his wife Cynthia and uncle to Evan Silva. Michael is also survived by his beloved “fury friend” Coco.
Michael’s funeral will be from the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home 210 Winthrop St. Winthrop on Thursday, December 29, at 9AM, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Michaels Parish-Winthrop at 10AM. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be in Winthrop Cemetery (Belle Isle Section). Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the MSPCA 350 S. Huntington Ave. Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130 or to the Massachusetts Police Assn. 11 Beacon St. Suite 300, Boston, MA. 02108.