Leo McManus

December 14, 2010

Our Lord called Leo McManus home today, Tuesday, December 14, 2010, from the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Leo was born and raised in Ashley, where he raised a family with his late wife, Rita McManus. He was a son of the late James and Rose Hennan McManus. Leo was a veteran of World War II, where he served as sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was an airplane armored gunner for the 562nd Bomb Squadron 388th Bomb Group. During his tour he received the good conduct medal, distinguished unit badge, American Theater Service Medal, European Service Medal with one bronze star and a Victory Medal. Leo retired after more than 40 years on the railroad, working his way from a fireman to an engineer. He worked for the Central RR of New Jersey, Lehigh Valley RR and Delaware and Hudson RR. He was always willing to share his wealth of knowledge with family and friends and anyone interested in learning from an experienced historian. He will be most remembered for his love and dedication to his family, who meant everything to him. One of his favorite pastimes was family trips to our nation's capital. Leo most recently resided at Mercy Center Personal Care Unit in Dallas, where he quickly made friends with everyone in the unit. He thought of the staff and residents as his extended family, and he felt very comfortable in their presence. He never had a negative word for anyone and kept his "list" close to his heart. Leo's family would like to thank the staff of Mercy Center for all the love and care they gave to Leo while he resided there. Surviving are children, Kathleen Gass and her husband, Gene, of Virginia; Margaret Evans and her husband, David, of Kingston; James McManus of Forty Fort; Rose Marie McKenzie and her husband, Frank, of Hanover Township; and Rita Cronin and her husband, Michael, of Swoyersville; grandchildren, Lisa Perugino, Sheila Wright, David Evans Jr., Frank McKenzie Jr., Jason McManus, Michelle Bedosky, Jamie Gronkowski, Patricia Jordan and Brooke Crowley; great-grandchildren, Kristopher, Lindsey, Joseph, Trystin, Alyssa, Lauren, Jacob, Colm, Michael, Aubrey, Caleb, Lucas and Kaiden; a brother, Joe McManus, of Mechanicsburg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing for Leo will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the Lehman-Gregory Funeral Home Inc., 281 Chapel St., Swoyersville. Also, there will be a viewing at the Mercy Center, Lake Street, Dallas, from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following the viewing at 2 p.m. Family and friends attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the Mercy Center on Friday. Interment will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.