Thomas Manning

PITTSFIELD -- Thomas Richard Manning, 74, of West Roxbury, formerly of Pittsfield, died Sunday at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Roxbury after a brief illness. He moved to West Roxbury in 1986.

Born in Boston on Nov. 30, 1932, son of John P. and Mary Tapp Manning, he graduated from Mission High School in 1950, from Boston College in 1954 and from Boston College Law School in 1957. He also graduated from New York University School of Law with a master's degree in taxation. He was a teaching fellow and served as a student adviser to the "Intramural Law Review."

While serving in the Army as a lieutenant first class, he was assigned to the Office of the Judge Advocate General at the Pentagon from 1959 to 1961. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal while serving in the Procurement Law Division. As chief of the personal tax branch, Army Legal Assistance Division, he supervised tax assistance and educational programs and instructed in taxation at the Pentagon and the Judge Advocate General's School in Charlottesville, Va.

Mr. Manning was employed by the Department of Justice from 1961 to 1966, serving under Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

He moved to North Adams in 1966 and joined Donovan & O'Connor law firm. In 1969, he moved to Pittsfield and opened a law office in the Onota Building on North Street. He served as an assistant public defender for Berkshire County from 1970 to 1972 and as assistant district attorney when the Western District included Berkshire and Hampden counties. He was district attorney in Springfield from 1972 to 1974.

In 1974, he mounted a campaign for Congress against Republican incumbent Silvio O. Conte. He served as special attorney for the city of Pittsfield from 1977 to 1980 and as counsel for the Pittsfield Housing Authority from 1970 to 1986.

Mr. Manning was a member of the Berkshire County, Massachusetts and American bar associations, and of American Legion Post 68. He also was an active member of the VA Boston Health Care System's Institutional Review Board and represented veterans in reviewing protocols for human studies. He received a letter from President Bush in recognition of his thousands of volunteer hours working on behalf of veterans. He enjoyed family trips, reading and fishing at Onota Lake and the Green River.

He was married to the former Nancy L. Bates.

Besides his wife, he leaves three daughters, Mary Ellen Manning of Wellfleet, Jean Ann Manning of Harwichport and Jennifer McVey of Hyde Park; three sons, James Manning of Las Vegas, John P. Manning of Los Angeles and Richard Manning of West Roxbury; a sister, Joan Gladman of Mission Hills, Calif.; and a brother, Paul Manning of Lakewood, Calif.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Richard Manning, who died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2007, will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa of Avila Church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury. Mr. Manning served the city of Pittsfield, Berkshire and Hampden counties as a proud attorney, District Attorney and Public Defender. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name may be made to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, N.Y., NY 10006. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Lee Steiner, and a son-in-law, George Bono. His devoted son, Richard, was a great help to him as his health declined. He appreciated the excellent care he received at West Roxbury's VA Hospital, where he enjoyed talking to the veterans and volunteering at the medical library. www.lawlerfuneralhome.com.