Lemuel A.W MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER, Lemuel A.W.


Lemuel A.W. Manchester, of Windsor, passed on, January 26, 2013. He is survived by his sister, Laura Manchester Smith of Newport, RI, her husband, Bill, and their daughters Sandra White and Victoria Foley, his many cousins around the country, including Rowena Otremba and Flinx Martin, of Beverly, MA, Richard Waite of Middletown, and his family, Andy Waite of W. Va., Dan Waite of Texas, Debbie Waite of Honolulu, HI, as well as his beloved fiancée Nancy Ferguson, of West Hartford, and many dear friends. Lem was born in Newport, R.I., where his mother was an artist and member of the Newport Art Association and his father was a shipwright and president of Williams and Manchester Shipyard. As a young child, Lem moved to Worcester, MA, where he attended the Bancroft School and graduated from Worcester Academy. He worked as a draftsman during part of his high school years in Worcester, and later for Pratt-Whitney in Hartford during his years studying at University of Hartford, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then worked as an engineer for Pratt -Whitney, Combustion Engineering - ABB, and Hamilton Standard, where he was part of the team that designed the backpack breathing apparatus for man's first walk on the moon, "One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." He also worked in Texas and California and later was self-employed in drafting, contracting, calligraphy, and graphics. Lem was active in Toastmasters International as a member of Windsor Advanced Toastmasters (SECAT), and the Windsor, Vernon, and Bloomfield Clubs. He received many trophies, some for the best Tall Tale speeches. As a longtime member and officer of Hostelling International USA, Yankee Council, Lem participated as a leader in many many events such as hiking, biking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. He was a member of the Windsor Community Service Council serving the Food Bank and Food Share. He was a member of the Hartford division of The Railroad Enthusiasts with whom he shared his extensive knowledge of railroads via his slide collection. Lem was very interested in fine art, as his mother, Emily Burling Waite, was an accomplished portrait and etching artist whom he often watched at work. He collected art, frequented many art museums, and was active in having paintings restored. He was a long-time member of Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Worcester, MA, and First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, MA, as well as a regular attendant at Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Hartford. Most of all, we will miss his exceptional patience and kindness.
A service will be held for Lem on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013 at 2:30 p.m., at First Church of Windsor, United Church of Christ, 107 Palisado Ave., Windsor. Take exit 37 off Route 91. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Toastmasters International, Wadsworth Museum of Art, Worcester Art Museum, the Worcester Church, or Newport Art Museum. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.