John A. McManus

Source: Princeton Alumni

Jack died March 14, 2007, at Harlingen (Texas) Medical Center.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., he was a longtime New Jersey resident before moving to Eliot, Maine, 27 years ago and spending his winters in Rancho Viejo, Texas.

A Pingry School graduate, Jack majored in history at Princeton, where he played on the freshman football and baseball teams, was a member of the Civil Aeronautics Flying Program, and joined Elm Club. Freshman year he roomed with Bob Goheen ’40, Don Platten ’40, and then with Wick Jones, Jim Patterson, and George Knauer.

In 1941, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as an instructor in Moore, Miss., and then in tactical reconnaissance before separating as a captain in 1945.

Jack then joined the family business, McManus Brothers, in Elizabeth, N.J., where he became president and owner before retiring in 1980. For years he served on the boards of Eastern Union County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Trust Co., and St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was also president of Janet Memorial Home Institute for Teenage Girls and human-relations commissioner of the City of Elizabeth.

Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan Schultz McManus; five sons, Jack Jr., Peter, Michael, David, and Timothy; daughters Joan Ulick and Grace Bace; 12 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and two brothers, Bill ’44 and Dick ’49.