Edward C. McManus, 85, of Marlborough

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Edward C. McManusMarlborough – Edward C. McManus passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, November 7, 2022 amongst family and friends.

Edward was born in Fitchburg, MA to lifelong residents Leo and Kathryn (Ware) McManus.  He was educated in Fitchburg’s parochial schools and graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1955 with honors. He attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated with an English degree in 1959.  He worked part-time in a local business, Enright’s Pharmacy, where he met his wife-to-be Judith and began a life-long relationship that blossomed into a 61 year marriage. She predeceased him in 2021.

He is survived by four of their five children and their spouses: Edward II and his wife Kimberly of Londonderry, NH, Mary McManus van Lingen and her fiancé Norman Karloff of Marlborough, Timothy and his wife Megan of Shrewsbury, and Kerry McManus Tasso and her husband Joseph of Hollis, NH. He was also the father of the late Kathleen McManus, who died at fourteen months in 1962. His twelve grandchildren including Kevin & Andrea McManus, Julia van Lingen, Jonathan van Lingen, Lillian, Sam, Margaret, Nick, and Ryan McManus, Kathryn, Joseph, and Kristina Tasso. He also leaves his oldest brother Leo of Worcester, MA, his sister-in-law Marcie McManus, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his oldest sister Mary McManus Morin, her husband Paul Morin, his brother George McManus, and his sister-in-law Patricia Lilly McManus.

After college he was a commissioned officer in the US Army and together, he and Judy went to Ft. Knox, KY.  After the Army he worked full time in numerous industries including U.S. Dielectric Products, then to NYC for Hunter Sportswear, and then to Computer Control Company (one of the first small computer manufacturers) as a sales correspondent and eventually speech writer; then to Honeywell and finally to a small minicomputer start up Data General Corp where he worked for 29 years.

Part time, he also ran a comedy newsletter, the Jokesmith, for business and professional speakers.  He wrote for the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic roast of President Gerald Ford. In the sixties, he wrote for the fledgling comedienne Phyllis Diller and had several jokes on the Ed Sullivan show.  He continued his writing and work on books (with 3 published), but his top priorities were his wife and family.

In addition to running corporate executive and recognition meetings around the world, he and Judy travelled over 20 years and experienced adventures throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the major cities of Europe. In between times, they bought an old Victorian house along the coast of York, ME and rebuilt it. It is still the center of family summertime activity.

He will be remembered as the loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and professional that he was.  He was a strong-willed and loving individual who never compromised his principles. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Visiting hours for Edward will be held Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 2:00PM-4:00 PM at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Matthias Church, 409 Hemenway St., Marlborough, MA. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, 96 Goodrich St, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

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