Michael J. Manning

Born on January 27, 1943 in Brockton, Massachusetts, Michael was the beloved son of F. Clayton and Jennie (Sholonski) Manning. Michael’s parents were the owners of the Colonial Diner in Brockton, where he spent many nights flipping hamburgers on the grill.

Michael graduated from Brockton High School in 1961, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston College in 1965.

Michael’s over 30-year career with Raytheon helped to shape his rich and fulfilling life. As a finance director for the Patriot missile system division, Michael spent many years abroad for the firm. He told everyone he was an international arms peddler, but on this point he exaggerated a bit. His many years in Paris, Saudi Arabia and Munich instilled in Michael a deep love for French culture, spicy food and German cars, and provided his children with wonderful memories of their years abroad. After many years as an expat, he finally returned to the United States in 1990, and settled eventually in Winchester, Massachusetts.

Michael was an avid Boston sports fan and a Red Sox season ticketholder. He found his match in his wife Norma, who impressed him on their first date by knowing what the Infield Fly Rule was. He loved nothing more than sitting in his leather chair watching Tom Brady and the Patriots shred their opponents, or singing “Boston, You’re My Home” at the conclusion of a Red Sox win.

Michael, a staunch Democrat, enjoyed politics, and loved watching “Morning Joe” and “Meet the Press”. He was so proud that his daughter Courtney worked at the White House, and the two of them spent many hours hashing over political affairs.

Michael loved to fish, a passion he instilled in his son, Michael Jr. They both have spent lazy afternoons searching for the elusive “Walter the Bass” in Moose Pond. So far, no luck.

Cooking was another love of Michael’s; his Chinese ribs and rice were a favorite on football game days. He also became a proficient French chef, turning out crepes and Boeuf Bourgignon with ease. He was delighted when his youngest daughter Sylvie attended culinary school, and was filled with immense pride when she became a pastry chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Michael also had a love-hate relationship with the game of golf and the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle.

In addition to his wife Norma, Michael is survived by his loving Bichon Frise Madeleine, his three children Courtney (Woody) Oldrin, Michael Junior (Krista) Manning and Sylvie Manning. He was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren: Noah, Oliver, Nathan and Wellesley. He is predeceased by his older brother Frank, but leaves three siblings: John (Bette) Manning, June (Peter) Folger and Janet (Ed) Derrickson. He will be missed by his sisters-in-law Barbara Manning and Julie Boutet, his dear cousin Jane (Bob) Peterson and many loving nieces and nephews. His French family Jean DeFilippis, Daniel Vannucci and Anne Marie Ferrari, siblings of Michael’s deceased wife Jacqueline, are also grieving his passing from across the miles.

In Michael’s memory, donations may be made to The Red Sox Foundation, an organization that harnesses the passion of Red Sox Nation to make a difference in the lives of children, veterans, families and communities throughout New England. To make a donation, visit www.redsoxfoundation.org/donate,

or mail a check designating the donation “In memory of Michael Manning” to The Red Sox Foundation, 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215.

Florida funeral arrangements are being handled by the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Center. An interment ceremony at the Wildwood Cemetery in Winchester, MA, and a Celebration of Michael’s Life, will follow in July.