Northborough – Florian Francis Menninger Jr., PhD, 75, of Northborough, died suddenly Wednesday, July 17, 2013 with his family by his side. He leaves his wife of 30 years, Charlotte (Kaye) Menninger of Northborough.
Florian was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Florian and Adelaide (Dellamore) Menninger, and was raised in Syossett, N.Y. on beautiful Nobul Dairy Farm. He was a 1954 graduate of Chaminade High School on Long Island and obtained a degree in Biology in 1959 from St. Michaels College, Vermont. He continued on to earn a Master's and PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at St. John's University on Long Island.
He began his career as an Immunologist in New York and later relocated to Massachusetts.
Florian was an active man. In his younger years, he enjoyed snow skiing, tennis, and swimming. He also spent his spare time deep sea fishing on his 29-foot boat, “The Seaquester,” off the coast of Rhode Island.
In his retirement years, Florian enjoyed his frequent visits to the gym, half-day fishing trips, Red Sox games, and bicycling. He was an avid gardener with a green thumb; his sunflowers were his prized possessions.
Due to the fact Florian was a type 1 diabetic for almost 50 years, he was passionate about helping others understand the disease. He created the Northborough Senior Center Diabetic Support Group, which became quite a success, and was active with many other support groups throughout Massachusetts. He was a positive role model for all with diabetes and worked hard to maintain his health and fitness while living with the disease.
Florian adored his family and cherished all moments with them. He frequently planned family reunions, trips into Boston to shows or Red Sox games, deep sea fishing trips, and fun family contests such as pumpkin carving, sunflower growing, and gingerbread house building.
Besides his wife Charlotte, he is survived by his children, Christine Testa and her husband Albert of Marston Mills, Florian E. Menninger and his wife Theresa of New City, N.Y. and his twin sister Lauren J. Menninger and her partner Maria Lastoria of Abington, Lindsey Spurling and her husband Timothy of Natick, Laura Johnson and her husband Steven of Sayville, N.Y., and Beth Warner and her husband Daniel of Stow; his brother, Adrian Menninger and his wife Leslie of Sedona, Az.; his sister, Adelaide Cannata and her husband James of Bayse, Va.; his sisters-in-law, Jean Menninger of Poquott, N.Y. and Nancy Langelier and her husband Peter of Marlborough; his grandchildren, Jacqueline, Eric, Samantha, Shaelyn, Isabella, Robin, and Shay; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late William Menninger.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, July 2, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Slattery Funeral Home, 40 Pleasant St, Marlborough. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m., at the Martha Mary Chapel, Wayside Inn Road, Sudbury. Burial will be held at a later date.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Northborough Senior Center, c/o Kelly Burke, 119 Bearfoot Rd., Northborough, MA 01532 or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.JDRF.org.
