Roger Bernard Manning

Pre-deceased by his parents, Molly and Maurice Manning of Epsom, England, and his beloved wife, Lorraine Soltess-Manning, he is survived by his sons Nick (Kathy) and Andrew (Lindsay) both of Toronto, stepson Michael MacCurdy of Peterborough, and five grandchildren, Lauren, Jonathan and Crawford Manning, and Elisabeth and William MacCurdy. He is fondly remembered by his brother Danny Manning of Bristol, England, and his Bristol nieces, Elizabeth Romero and Julia Rooney, and their families.

In 1975 Roger emigrated with his family from Epsom to Toronto to pursue a career in finance and human resources. He spent two decades in management, serving successively as General Manager of the Lever Canada Credit Union, Corporate Human Resources Manager with Nestle Canada, and Human Resources Manager at Credit Union Central of Ontario. In mid-life his career led him into the non-profit sector where he served first as Executive Director of Goodwill Industries, Sarnia, then as Executive Director of Catholic Community Services of York Region until his retirement in 2007, when he and Lorraine moved from Markham to Guelph.

In retirement Roger helped to restructure and revitalize Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington, subsequently serving as Board President for six years. In 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to immigrant services. He served in ministries at Holy Rosary Parish, and volunteered with The Elliott Community and LaPointe Fisher Nursing Home.

He and Lorraine visited family and friends in England and toured Europe by bus, train, and river cruises. They prayed at the Marian shrines in Fatima and Lourdes. In Rome they explored St. Peter’s Basilica from the necropolis to the dome, followed by a memorable lunch with workers in the papal gardens. They celebrated Oktoberfest in Munich, and spent many happy weeks in the beautiful island of Madeira.

Roger will be remembered for his cheerfulness, his faith that sustained him through many adversities, and his devotion to Lorraine, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015 and spent the last seven years of her life in The Elliott long term care facility.

Following cremation and a Funeral Mass, his ashes will be inurned beside Lorraine’s at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum, Marymount Cemetery, Guelph.

Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St. Guelph, on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 10:30am. Those wishing to live stream the service may do so following this link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89909160715?pwd=WFNzQlZCV0hPSno0RHBuWjlTcTJlUT09

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Michael House in Guelph, Good Shepherd in Toronto, and Loyola House, Guelph.