Mr. Joseph E. Manley

Joseph E. Manley, 91, of Birch Grove Drive, Pittsfield, died peacefully at home in the early morning of September 21, 2013. Born on February 8, 1922, the son of Thomas H. and Margaret Weafer Manley he was raised in Woburn, MA and was a 1939 graduate of Woburn High School. Joe served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946, stationed in the Pacific Theatre. He was called back to active duty in the Naval Reserves in 1951 and stationed in Pittsfield where he and Kay made their home. Mr. Manley worked for the Berkshire Mutual Insurance Company as an officer for 31 years, retiring in 1984. Joe was a dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, serving for many years as a lector and member of the parish council. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and sold many a tootsie roll for the organization. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He served on the Pittsfield Fire Commission for the building of the firehouse on Columbus Avenue. A great golfer, Joe was a welcome addition to many a foursome and played his last games with the “Geritol Gang” at Skyline. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Catherine Mooney Manley (“Kay”), who could not have been a better caregiver for her husband. He also leaves his children, Christine M. Gravelle of Lawrenceville, NJ, and Paul J. Manley and his wife, Jennifer, of Fairport, NY; his beloved grandchildren, Catie and Michaela Gravelle, and Clayton and Clara Manley, whom he leaves with many happy memories; a sister, Marie Manley Leonard of Woburn; he was “uncle Joe” to many nieces and nephews with whom he enjoyed close relationships. He was predeceased by his two older brothers, Tom and Bunny and his younger sister, Margie Manley Haskell. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Joseph E. Manley will be Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 10 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA 01201 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church celebrated by the Rev. James K. Joyce, pastor. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday, September 23, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. A second Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place in his hometown of Woburn, MA on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at St. Charles Church, Woburn, at 10 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Francis McGann. Burial will follow on Wednesday at Calvary Cemetery in Woburn. Calling hours will precede the Wednesday service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Lynch – Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, MA. If friends desire, donations may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires or to Sacred Heart Church, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home in his memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ON THIS WEBSITE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Joseph E. Manley

February 8, 1922 - September 21, 2013