Edward Allen Manny

Edward Allen Manny was born September 2, 1928 in Canton, Illinois. He served two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II serving in the Aleutian Islands. After being discharged in 1948, he was recalled to active duty in 1951 serving an additional two years. He served in the Active-Inactive Naval Reserves; retiring in 1973 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

In 1951 he married Alice Shirley. They welcomed their first son, Floyd in 1955 with son Bruce following in 1957. They raised their boys in the church and Ed was proud that their grandchildren: Justin, Sara and Afton all are committed Christians serving churches in North Carolina and Georgia.

Ed attended Beauty College and worked in his own salon, Neighborhood Beauty Salon, until rejoining the Navy.

The family settled in Gurnee, Illinois in 1953 where Ed worked as a service manager for a commercial refrigeration and air conditioning company. He Joined the Masonic Lodge in Waukegan and advanced to Worshipful Master in 1961 and later was appointed District Grand Master of the 32nd District of Illinois.

In 1963 the family moved to Oldsmar and the boys and their father became very involved in Little League Baseball. Ed was a coach and an officer.

Ed was involved in the community serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, as Chairman of the newly formed Code Enforcement Board and won two terms on City Council. While on Council he served as Vice Mayor and sat on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. He represented Oldsmar and Safety Harbor on the Metropolitan Planning Organization and chaired the Transportation Disadvantaged Board. He also served as President of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco and Pinellas.

In 1968 he purchased Tri Industries, Inc., a commercial air filter distribution company and developed it into a manufacturing company. After selling the company in 1978 he and Alice joined forces and became licensed real estate brokers and opened a branch of Land Ho, Inc. in Tampa. He also became Executive Director of the Tampa Apartment Association, a position he held for 10 years.

Upon retirement, Ed and Alice became volunteer managers of the Mustard Seed Thrift Shop, on outreach and fund-raising project of Community United Methodist Church. For many years Ed was the piano player for the early worship service and people came just to hear his jazzy renditions of their favorite hymns. He served in various leadership positions at the church, taught a popular Sunday School class and let the church in the building of a new sanctuary.

In 2002 Alice, his beloved wife and partner of over 50 years died of cancer. Ed has spent many months devoted to her care and her death was very difficult for him to endure. Thankfully, his son, Bruce and several devoted friends helped him deal with his grief and the results of back surgery and prostate cancer. Frank Teats brought milkshakes and Jan Spiega saw to his physical therapy. She and Bonny Greenwood were great support and visited and accompanied him in dining out.

On August 21, 2004 he accompanied Bruce and other friends to the wedding of John and Katherine Sullivan. He has met John’s sister, Sheila Craft, previously but on this day, she caught his eye. They began dating and were married February 19, 2005. Ed became a stepfather to Katie Mabe and Shay Farnsworth. Sheila and Ed were actively involved in Oldsmar Cares, a ministry to those in need in the Oldsmar Community. Ed was a team leader and Sheila was the bookkeeper for many years.

Despite declining mobility and increasing medical issues, Ed was not ready to give up. He continued to play piano at church and enjoy eating at Daddy’s with friends.

Ed was a people person. He was funny, charming, and always had a compliment for the ladies. He was a devoted family man. He was a good friend to many and had the ability to make everyone feel special.

Ed is survived by his large and loving family, including numerous great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Community United Methodist Church this Tuesday, July 16, at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Community United Methodist Church of Oldsmar.

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