Charles "Chuck" Manley

1927 - 2016

August 27, 1927 - April 8, 2016 Chuck was a man with an inquisitive mind, always learning, searching for answers to the mystery of the Universe and beyond. He passed away suddenly at his home in Huntington Beach, California, on April 8, 2016, his wife, Aileen, at his side. Chuck was born and raised in Covina, California. He missed his graduation from Chino H.S. to be a 17-year-old Navy Seaman 2nd class serving during WWII. He used his GI Bill to attend Pasadena City College where he played football and ran track. He earned an Athletic Scholarship to USC and graduated in 1954. He kept that "Fight On" spirit the rest of his life. Chuck had many interests and talents, teaching elementary and middle school science, coaching sports, and directing the choir. He turned a hobby designing & building loudspeakers into a job as an Audio Engineer at JBL in Los Angeles. In between, he spent many years on the beach as a lifeguard for the city of Huntington Beach. Chuck was one of the pioneer surfers in 1940s. He made his own redwood surfboard while in high school (see picture). Always the athlete, he could be seen swimming around the H.B. pier each morning before work. In recent years, Chuck and his wife enjoyed traveling the world, and especially loved summers in Hawaii on the island of Kauai. A lover of all things musical, Mel Brooks movies and Vanilla ice cream, Chuck lived life to the fullest. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all. His "Fight On" attitude gave him the strength and courage to face challenging medical issues. He had an engaging personality and drew people to him with his good humor and compassion. He was recently diagnosed and attended the Alzheimer's Family Services Center in Huntington Beach. There he found many new friends and staff members that embraced his openness to facing this new challenge with grace and optimism. Chuck will be missed by all those that were fortunate to know and love him. He leaves his wife of 51 years, Aileen, his son Dana Patrick Manley and Dana's wife Jenny, his grandsons, Chase, Danna and Dane Manley, brother Tom McGannon and Tom's wife Kelly of Prescott, Arizona, and many loving nieces and nephews. A private service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Charles Manley to the Alzheimer's Family Services Center, 9451 Indianapolis Ave., Huntington Beach, Ca. 92646 or WWW.AFSCenter.org.