We are heartbroken to announce the passing of lifelong Taunton resident J.
John McManus, Jr.
John, aged 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at
Morton Hospital, with family by his side, after a short illness. He was a
resident of The Arbors Assisted Living in Taunton.
John is survived by his loving family: daughter Katie McManus of MA;
daughter Amy McManus of IL and her husband John Paterson, grandson
Graham Paterson and granddaughter Avery Paterson; companion Shirley
(Dean) Hogan of Taunton and their dog Lily; former wife Donna Cronin of
RI; nieces Lannie (Thoman) Castronova of NY, Melissa (Thoman) Panos of
MO, nephew JP Thoman of FL, and many great-nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Emily (Knapinski)
McManus, and sisters Valerie (McManus) Thoman and Jane McManus,
nephew Earl Thoman III, and niece Jill (Thomas) McCauley.
Born in Taunton in 1943, John was a proud member of the Monsignor
Coyle High School Class of 1961. In 1965 he graduated from Providence
College and throughout his life remained a passionate and devoted fan of
the PC Friars men’s basketball team.
John served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1978, completing his
tour of duty in Vietnam, and retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. He
graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1974. During his long career as an
attorney in Taunton, John practiced with the firm of Fagan, Goldrick and
McManus prior to starting his own firm.
John will be remembered for his lifelong love of trains, from his elaborate
Lionel set built by his father in the basement of his childhood home on
General Cobb Street, to riding the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge
Railroad in Colorado. He had a keen interest in the natural world and in
local and world history. His love of the Atlantic Ocean and the Outer Cape
found expression in fishing for blues and scup with his cousin on summer
weekends and sailing his Hobie Cat with family and friends off of Sconticut
Neck in Fairhaven. John treasured hunting with good friends in Maine,
kayaking on the Taunton River, and listening to folk music.
John will be greatly missed.
Calling hours for John will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 3 to
5pm at O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street, in Taunton. A
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023 at
10am, at The Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street, Taunton,
followed by interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 24 Glebe Street, in Taunton.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Taunton River Watershed
Alliance. https://savethetaunton.org/