David B. Mann

BUZZARDS BAY - David B. Mann, 92, transitioned peacefully on August 8, 2022, at his Buzzards Bay home after a recent heart attack.
David was born in Pittsfield MA on October 31, 1929, the firstborn child of H. Gordon Mann of Whitman MA and Marion Cummings Mann of Hebron ME. He was raised in Hanson MA, graduated from Whitman High School and received a bachelor's degree at UMass Stockbridge School in Amherst.
As a youth, he built a cranberry bog for his father who was Vice President of Sales for Ocean Spray. David also raised corn and chickens to pay for his higher education at UMass. He studied botany with aspirations of becoming a cranberry grower one day.
On New Year's Eve 1958, he and Marjorie Tatlow wed at her family home in Onset. He was a devoted husband and dedicated father to their children, Susan, Gordon and Keith. In 2018, he and Marjorie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to her passing in 2019.
David served in the Navy during the Korean conflict flying in a P5M-2 over the waters between US and South America on watch for foreign submarines. He later became a pilot himself. After his tour of duty, he served as Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserves while his cranberry growing dreams began in earnest.
David first purchased cranberry bogs in Plymouth and Buzzards Bay, and later added operations in Hanson, Wareham, Middleboro, Taunton, and Berkley. During his 50+ year career, he left an indelible mark on the industry. He was instrumental in convincing his fellow southeastern Massachusetts growers to change the way cranberries had been harvested up until that time. David is well known for bringing "water harvesting" to Massachusetts and was also the first to use permanent irrigation system for frost protection. These innovations are two of the most significant innovations in cranberry producing history.
David was a leader in the cranberry industry as well as a strong proponent for the members of Ocean Spray. He was an early director of the Ocean Spray cooperative for 30 years, and also served many years at Mass Farm Bureau Federation including two terms as president. David also served on many other boards such as a director of Middleboro Trust Company, Trustee of Urann Foundation, director of Plymouth County Farm Bureau, supervisor for Plymouth County Conservation District, and was a Master Mason of the Wampatuck Lodge.
David enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren and was very proud of them. David was fun-loving, enjoying time with family and neighborhood friends sharing experiences boating, off-road motorcycling, and flying. David had a humorous disposition, enjoyed music, and had a passion for sharing his cranberry knowledge with anyone who would listen.
Other ventures included an aquaculture operation growing shellfish, and Back Acre Farms, a pick-your-own strawberry operation in Middleboro and Taunton. His wife and daughter, Marjorie and Susan Mann, helped manage that. His cranberry bogs in Plymouth, Wareham and Buzzards Bay remain fruitful under the management of his son, Keith Mann. Up until his last week of life, David would meet Keith and his farm crew for their 10:00 coffee break every weekday.
David's family would like to thank the caring, dedicated crew of personal caregivers who enabled him to live comfortably at home and keep a pulse on the family farm.
David was predeceased by his wife Marjorie (Tatlow) Mann, his brothers, Charles and Doug, his sister Nancy, and son Gordon. He is survived by his son Keith Mann of Buzzards Bay; daughter Susan Mann and her husband Jackson Gillman of Onset; and three grandchildren, Magdalene Mann, Jillian Gillman, and Avery Gillman; his sister Sally Mann of Broadalbin, NY; and three generations of nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are Friday, August 12th from 4 - 7 PM at Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham. Funeral service will be held 10 am Saturday, August 13th at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Long Neck Cemetery, Onset with a reception to follow. As an alternative to flowers, consider a donation to Cranberry Research Foundation, 265 South Meadow Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360.