Richard Joseph Manfre

MANFRE - Richard Joseph, attorney and longtime resident of Saddle River, New Jersey, died on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Dick, as he was known to family and friends, was born on April 21, 1938. A 1960 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, he went on to receive a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University in 1961 and a Law degree from Rutger's University Law School in 1964. Well-known in legal circles throughout the state, Mr. Manfre began his legal career as a Passaic County Prosecutor. He went on to establish his own practice, first in Passaic County and then for over 30 years in Bergen County. As a practicing attorney, one of his primary goals was to help troubled youth whenever possible. To that end, he provided pro bono services his entire career to young people who needed guidance and intervention. Mr. Manfre was a member of the New Jersey Bar association and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1979. He retired from active practice in 2005, but continued to help young people and provide them with legal assistance. He also enjoyed mentoring young attorneys as they set out to establish themselves in the legal community. Mr. Manfre was very active in the Saddle River community where he and his wife of 43 years, Marilyn May Manfre, lived and raised their son R.J. He served as president and vice-president of the Saddle River Board of Education from 1982-1988, president of the Ho-Ho-Kus Saddle River Football Association, and coached Ho-Ho-Kus Saddle River recreational football, basketball, baseball, and soccer teams for many years. He was a trustee of New Concepts, an organization supporting the needs of children with Down Syndrome and a lifelong member of Fidelians of America. Mr. Manfre is survived by his wife, Marilyn May Manfre of Saddle River, and a twin sister, Kathleen Manfre Capra of South Glastonbury, CT. He was predeceased by his son, R.J. Manfre in 2005. A memorial mass to celebrate Mr. Manfre's life will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 10 AM at the church of St. Gabriel, 88 East Saddle River Road, Saddle River, New Jersey. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Allendale Volunteer Ambulance Corp., P.O. Box 6, Allendale, New Jersey 07401.