Michael Peter Manion

Michael Manion Obituary

January 9, 2021 On January 9, 2021, Michael Peter Manion passed unexpectedly away while at Keck Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 74 years old.Michael was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he attended Daniel Murphy High School. After high school he attended LACC until he was drafted into the Army where he served as a forward observer during the war in Viet Nam. Upon his return, he completed his studies at Immaculate Heart College where he earned a degree in history in 1972. After graduation, he was delighted to take a job teaching social studies at Immaculate Heart High School where he worked for almost 40 years. Teaching was Michael's passion. His first teaching assignment was World History at the freshman level. He particularly loved ancient history and strove to make his students love it too. He captured their imaginations with his amazing ability as a storyteller and the sharing of his own life experiences. As he continued his career, he developed strategies to enhance his students' skills and developed "Critical Thinking" and "Study Skills" curricula to help them to grow intellectually. One of his most famous assignments required the students to draw a detailed map of the world from memory! Mike went on to teach economics to seniors and eventually assumed administrative roles including department chair, dean of students and assistant principal for curriculum. He retired in 2011.Michael married his wife, Fran, in 1969. They were happily together for 51 years. They had many great adventures including working together for a time at Immaculate Heart, remodeling their home, traveling in the US and abroad, managing his business, Arrow Sign Company, and, of course, golfing, which was his retirement treat.Mike is survived by Fran and their daughter, Carrie, as well as his four sisters – Glory, Julie, Mary Kate, and Bernadette – and many extended family members and loving friends. Due to Covid, funeral services will be delayed. Donations in Michael's memory may be sent to Keck Hospital (https://igfn.us/vf/MANION or Keck Hospital Development, 1975 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033) in recognition of the excellent and supportive care over the past 6 years.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Jan. 27 to Jan. 31, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Manion

9 Entries

Mashelle Clark

January 23, 2025

The Best Neighbor Ever!!!!

Shelly And Verdine White

Planted Trees

Daria Makuch

June 28, 2021

My deepest condolences for your loss.

When I reflect on my life there are a few bright people that shine positive impacts that keep me smiling and persevering today. Mr. Manion was that teacher for me. I´m dyslexic, and didn´t have the best time at IH. But Mr. Manion was there to help me with math, since the new math teacher at the time didn´t believe in my dyslexia, and made history exciting. (I now have a Masters degree in international relations.) He was always genuine and that teaches more than any kind of lecture. His Latin banter with a fellow teacher intriguing all of us in class, leaving us to want to learn something more.
Once I asked him what his favorite animal was, because I made animals out of clay, and he said some kind of fish because it tastes good. I tried to get another animal out of him but fish was his favorite. I made a little clay fish for him and was told that he kept it on his desk. (I went away to boarding school.)
I say Mr. Manion again when my little cousin graduated from IH. I didn´t have anything exciting to report to him but wanted to say hi. He was kind as usual. I wish and hope he knows how much light he brought to my life. Thank you, his wonderful loving family for simply being you. That is what Mr. Manion was, himself, and encouraged all of us girls to be.

God rest his soul.

Bridget Callanan

April 17, 2021

Dear Fran and Carrie,

What a loss you both must be feeling right now! I chose to be a history major in college I am sure due to Michael. He never told you how to think about history and made it clear that it is a fluid thing depending on whose perspective you are listening to. But he also taught us its importance as a tool to learn from our mistakes.

We exchanged holiday cards for several years after graduation but all my tooing and froing made it hard to keep it going. We are retired in San Clemente now and would love to see you. Michael was a soft spoken kind hearted man who loved you deeply, a beautiful marriage and life you created together. You can reach me at : 949-293-3337.

When we lost our son Brian at age 24, I found Richard Rohr a great resource for my grief. We walked the Camino in Spain and hiked Kilimanjaro as another exercise in grief... "Gradually, you learn acquaintance with the invisible form of Mike; And when the work of grief is done, the wound of loss will heal and you will have learned to wean your eyes from that gap in the air and be able to enter the hearth in your soul where your loved one has awaited your return all the time." John O'Donahue

Love, Bridget Callanan

Maggie Sullivan

April 12, 2021

We know and recognize that there are many teachers in our past who have given their hearts, minds and souls to nurture in us the things that they saw as vital to our education, critical to our success, and important for our future.

In keeping with that theme, I want to take this time to celebrate Mr. Manion who inspired, and gave freely of his time to this great profession we call teaching. He truly earned the right to be called GREAT in this profession that many of us call our life's work. He was humble, warm hearted, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will forever be remembered and live on in the minds and lives of the students he taught and molded during his many years at Immaculate Heart. I was in his first History class at IH he taught. I am saddened yet so happy to know I was present to be a part of a life well lived. I am also thankful that this will not be the end because I know we will meet again! For that I am truly blessed. Prayers and love to the Manion family.

Maggie Feliz Sullivan
Class of 1976

Wendy Urlik Fish

January 27, 2021

My deepest condolences to the Manion family. I'm so sad that COVID kept us from our 25th reunion as I was hoping to tell Mr. Manion how much his classes meant to my life and career. I will never forget his Critical Thinking course or writing my first real, analytical essay: "Bretton Woods from a Globalist Perspective". I truly would not be where I am today without his influence. RIP Mr. Manion. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Beth

January 27, 2021

Mr. Manion was such a great teacher. I have such fond memories of my time at Immaculate Heart, of which he was an integral part. In addition to learning the subject matter, I also learned a confidence in my capabilities. My condolences to his family.
Beth, class of 1984

Cathy Oshima

January 27, 2021

My prayers and condolences to the Manion Family. Mr. Manion's class was no doubt a favorite. He was an amazing teacher. Panda 85

Lisa Rimka

January 27, 2021

Mike Manion was just the best. So saddened to hear this news. My deepest condolences to his family, especially Fran Manion both of who showed so much patience for those of us who didn't always do our best .

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