Hudson – John R. “Jack” Manning, 42, died unexpectedly at his home on Aug. 26, 2021. He was born in Natick, the son of John C. Manning III of Wellborn, Fla. and the late Joyce (Rhodes) Manning, and lived in Hudson most of his life.
He graduated Assabet High School in 1997.
Jack was a skilled carpenter and a master of many trades. There was very little he could not do. He worked for D.A Smith Land & Homes in Hudson for over 20 years with a small crew and considered them family.
People that knew Jack would tell you that he was quiet but once he started talking he was a wealth of information. He was very intelligent. He loved to read and learn new things and he was always challenging himself. He didn’t watch television, he watched documentaries.
He was a true patriot. He loved the United States. It wouldn’t be unusual to see an American flag (on a flag pole) coming from his work van on a jobsite. Jack joined the Army shortly after high school, but he was medically discharged before completing boot camp due to asthma.
Jack lived with his cat, Felix, and never missed a family party. He had no children, but he always said yes when a niece or nephew called and asked to go out to breakfast or for a trip to Riverside Rod and Gun where he was a member for years.
He was a firearms enthusiast from a young age and shared this passion with others.
He was generous with his time and money. He never hesitated to help family or friends and he had compassion for people. He was a man of integrity and principal. He was the type of person you could depend on when you really needed him.
Jack loved the outdoors. He liked hiking and orienteering and he especially enjoyed deep sea fishing each summer when his father visited from Florida. Jack was a best friend to his brother, Michael and his family, and he will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his father, John C. Manning III and his wife Judy Gilpin of Wellborn, Fla.; two brothers, Michael Manning and his wife Kimberly of Marlborough and Kevin Manning and his wife Colleen of Franklin; a sister, Jennifer Moulton and her husband Nathan of North Carolina; and seven nieces and nephews; Austin and Hannah Manning; Piper, Peyton, and Chace Manning; Joseph and Jacob Moulton.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m., in the Short and Rowe Funeral Home (www.shortandrowefuneralhome.com), 95 West Main St., Marlborough. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be held on Saturday from 12-1:45 p.m. prior to the service. If you are planning to attend, Jack would want you to dress casual. Work boots and Carhartt pants were his clothing of choice.
