George L. McManus, 85
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — George Louis "Louie" McManus, 85, of 196 Southworth St. died Tuesday evening, May 13, 2003, at North Adams Regional Hospital, where he had been admitted Sunday.
Born in Memphis, Tenn., on March 9, 1918, son of James J. and Dorothy Jackson McManus, he attended schools in Cleveland, including Fenn College, now Cleveland State College, and Huntington Polytechnic Institute.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he served with the Seabees (Construction Battalion) as a petty officer, first class, in the Philippines from 1942 to 1945. He received several medals and ribbons.
Mr. McManus was the superintendent of the buildings and grounds of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, retiring in 1988 after 26 years of service.
He was first employed as assistant superintendent of the Cleveland Museum for 22 years and then by the Art Institute of Chicago for four years. In 1962, he assisted in the arranging and setup of the Masterpiece Show at the World's Fair in Seattle.
He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and of Richard A. Ruether American Legion Post 152, the Royal Arch Association in North Adams and the Gray Panther Social Club. He also belonged to the National Museum Association for more than 50 years. While in Illinois, he was a member of the Masons in Elmhurst.
He leaves his wife, the former Mary E. Dunavant, whom he married Dec. 30, 1939, in Cleveland.
Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Suzanne Rilla of Amherst; a son, Raymond McManus of Weymouth; his twin sister, Lucille Parfitt of California; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Christina McManus, Megan Hiltabidle and Catherine Rilla, and two great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Audrey Hiltabidle.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr. McManus will be celebrated Saturday at 10 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Williamstown by the Rev. Peter T. Elvin, rector. Burial with military honors will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial donations are suggested for St. John's Church through FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.