John F. Manning

John Frederick Manning - two photos; one man. A military man. Tough. Disciplined. Dependable. Courageous. Loyal. An old fart discovering the joy of riding a scooter around Walmart for the first time. Funny. Mischievous. Lively. Gregarious. Amiable. Two halves of a whole that make up the man we all knew as husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend.

John was born on November 17, 1939, the firstborn of a set of twins, in the General Hospital of Saranac Lake (which is now Hodson Hall of NCCC) to Fred and Mildred (Hill) Manning. He grew up on the family farm on Forest Home Road, in a time when family helped each other out in times of need.

When John was just 2 years old, his mother, Mildred, was admitted to the New York State Hospital at Ray Brook (currently the New York State Correctional Facility at Ray Brook) to be treated for Tuberculosis. Fred, employed at the Saranac Lake Fire Department, was unable to care for two small children by himself. John moved next door and lived with his grandparents, Erwin and Susan (Covel) Manning, and his uncle, Harry Manning. His grandmother was only able to care for one of the siblings, so twin sister, Joanne, went to live with Uncle Jim Kelley and his wife in Albany.

John grew up with farm animals and nature to amuse him. While his sister was away in Albany, his only friend was Ol’ Jib, a horse. John would help with the chores and watch his elders intently while they worked on the farm. He developed a love for horses, hunting, trapping, and fishing at a young age. He couldn’t remember a time when he wasn't fishing. At 7 years old, he was hunting squirrels with a BB gun. At just 10 years old, he owned his first gun, a Remington Model 510, .22 caliber, bolt-action, single-shot rifle. At 14 years old, he shot his first deer, the antlers kept to this day. At 13 years old, he started trapping. To him, this was an important endeavor, and he would check trap lines every morning before school.

Throughout his teenage years, John earned money by trapping beavers and otters and selling their hides. During summer breaks from school, he earned $35 a week working on Jack McMaster’s farm on McMaster Road. He would help milk the cows, pasteurize the milk, and sell the milk. There was also haying to be done. He would earn money in other ways as well. Lumberjacking with Hector Cusson. Roofing with George Kennedy. What does a 14-year-old need with an income, you might ask? John has always been a family man. Stepping up when necessary. Looking out for loved ones. So at just 14 years old, John was helping his father pay the taxes and put a new roof on the house. Family dedication.

John started school in 1946, attending first grade in a quaint little two-room schoolhouse in Lake Clear (which is still standing and is a private residence on Old Lake Clear Road). The following year, Lake Clear School closed, and he attended River Street School (which is currently part of NCCC on Brandy Brook Avenue). He remained here for grades 2-6. Tuition was $50 a year, a cost Fred Manning paid to ensure that his son and daughter remained with their friends. John moved over to Petrova School for grades 7-12 and graduated in 1958.

In 1962, John joined the Whiteface Mountain Lodge #789 of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member for 64 years, and had received a 60-year apron.

At 22 years old, John began working as a lineman for the Paul Smith’s Electric Light and Power and Railroad Company. Later that year, in 1961, the Army started sending out draft letters. John took it upon himself to enlist in the Marines. His job would be waiting for him when he got out of the Marines, however, the name had changed. Paul Smith’s Electric Light and Power and Railroad Company was bought out by Niagara Mohawk in 1966.

While in the Marines, John was lucky enough to travel the world and visit many ports (and pubs). Trinidad. Rio de Janeiro. Valparaíso, Chile. Panama City. Olongapo, Philippines. Hong Kong. Athens, Greece. France. Spain. Italy. He was fortunate enough to only see combat once. John was part of the 8th Marines that went into Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, during the Dominican Civil War. Operation Power Pack’s mission was to keep the peace during civil unrest and prevent a communist takeover. John mustered out in 1966 as Corporal John F. Manning. He continued working for Niagara Mohawk as a lineman, and later as a foreman, until his retirement in 1994 due to a broken ankle.

In 1968, John started a whirlwind romance on horseback with lifelong acquaintance, Joanne Petty. Their mutual love for horses cemented a marriage that lasted 51 years, until her death in 2021. In 1969, they knew they wanted to get married, so John approached Joanne’s father, Bill Petty, and, like a true gentleman, asked for her hand in marriage. John’s parents gave them a bit of land across the road from them, and John and Joanne quickly started building their home with their own two hands. They were married in 1970 at the First United Methodist Church in Saranac Lake. They would later expand their family, eventually having two girls, Christine (1978) and MaryJo (1981).

John may have traveled the world, but he was happiest at home in the Adirondacks, and remained on Forest Home Road all his life.

John was a kind and helpful soul, who did right by family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. In 1972, new employee of Niagara Mohawk, Roy Oakes, and his wife, Donna, were out and about when their car broke down. Roy, being new to the area, could only remember the name of one person, co-worker John Manning. John and Joanne didn’t hesitate to assist when Roy called for help. And so started a lasting friendship, so close as to be best friends, and considered aunt and uncle to their daughters.

In the winter of 1979-1980, John was driving home from work and came upon a teenager walking on Forest Home Road. He stopped and offered her a ride. She was Amber Fletcher, of McMaster Road, walking home from basketball practice. And so began a lasting friendship with Amber and her family, another horse-loving family to ride and breed horses with.

In 1984-1985, Veto and Gail Napolitano bought land next door and started clearing the lot and putting in a foundation. John came over and got to talking to the soon-to-be neighbors. Veto was in need of a pole. John just happened to have some laying around the back of his property. They brought the pole over and Veto dug a hole by hand and set the pole with a tractor. John came back with guy wire and climbed the pole (lineman, remember?) to attach the guy wire and then dug a hole in the ground to anchor it. That winter, while still building a house, still not knowing the neighbors real well, Veto and Gail left their lot for the day in an ice storm, and slid off the road on the first corner. Gail hoofed it back to John’s and, without hesitation, John went and pulled them out of the ditch and changed their flat tire. And so began a tight-knit neighborhood relationship.

In 1998, Joe and Cindy Garso bought John’s childhood home from his sister. The two were outdoors one day, installing fencing around their garden. John noticed them and crossed the street to help. And so began a tight-knit neighborhood relationship.

In 1999, Darra Wenske began to build a house next door. John’s wife, Joanne, was intrigued and asked to video-record the process. And so began a tight-knit neighborhood relationship. Darra and her husband, Patrick Duffy, and the Mannings have helped each other out many, many times over the years, most noticeably during medical emergencies, and most reliably with smaller things.

In 1948, the Sawyers bought John’s grandparents’ house. Their daughter, Beverly, went to school with John. And so began a life-long family connection. Beverly, and her husband, Frank DiGiulio, would later own the house and vacation in the summers. Their daughter, Emily, and her husband, Bruce Facteau, continue to reside there and are a very important part of the Mannings’ lives, helping out when needed, shoulders to cry on, laughter in abundance.

Family isn't always blood.

These people are all near and dear to us, John’s daughters. Those who were able to visit him towards the end deserve a mention in this tribute to our father as well. Special thanks go out to the people who spent time with him: Danny Trim, Emily DiGiulio and Bruce Facteau, Jerry Bough, Matt Huyck, Roy and Donna Oakes, Stephen and Logan Speer, Gerry Trim, Darra Duffy, Cindy Garso, Bruce Irvine, Amber Fletcher, Mark Miller, Andrew Knapp, Veto and Gail Napolitano, Dustin and Brady Martin, Leigh Wenske, Warren Marshall, and Tom Crouse. There are other people over the years who have been important to us, who aren't mentioned here. You are still near and dear to us, but we can’t list you all. For isn't it the people around us, family, friends, neighbors, who help shape who we are. Who have impacted us in some way, and we them. Our father was the man he was because of love and support from loving and caring people like his childhood family and people like you.

Special thanks and love go out to his son-in-law, Shaun Trombley of Forest Home Road. A darn-near carbon-copy of John. A man who loves and supports the people he holds dear. Dad’s partner-in-crime in all the same interests. Shaun kept Dad active for longer than his Parkinson’s would have allowed. Two peas in a pod who were closer than manly emotions can convey.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mildred (Hill) Manning of Forest Home Road; his sister, Joanne Manning of Buffalo, NY; and his wife, Joanne (Petty) Manning of Forest Home Road.

John is survived by his daughters, Christine (Stephen) Speer of Massena, NY, and MaryJo (Shaun) Trombley of Forest Home Road; and his grandchildren, Logan Speer of Massena, NY, and Laura and Michael Trombley of Forest Home Road.

Calling hours are set to take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday August 8, 2026. A funeral service will immediately follow at 3:00 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Eric Olsen Officiating. Burial will take place at the Town of Harrietstown Cemetery in Saranac Lake. A celebration of his life will immediately follow the burial at his home. Family and friends can share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.