- Date Of Birth: July 30, 1957
- Date Of Death: June 20, 2016
- State: Florida
Eamonn Manley, a retired Warrant Officer in the United States Coast Guard, passed away peacefully on Father’s Day. How appropriate that Eamonn would leave us on Father’s Day – family meant everything to him up until his passing. Eamonn cherished his children and was dearly loved by his grandchildren, they will miss “Grandpa Manley.”
Eamonn was one of the smartest and nicest people who walked the face of this earth. He will always be remembered as a kind-hearted soul who loved to make everyone around him laugh. Eamonn was a humble man who enjoyed talking with people and he was always there to lend a helping hand to others in need.
Eamonn was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1957, the third of seven children born to Edward Bernard Manley and Anne Burke Manley (both deceased). In 1960, the family moved from Texas to the white sand beaches of Ft. Walton Beach. The Manley family was a very rambunctious group and they enjoyed having fun while under the watchful eye of a stern and caring Irish mother. Eamonn always looked out for his younger siblings and he would protect them from getting into too much trouble. He was very generous and would always share the money he earned from working a paper route with all the younger siblings. As a young man, Eamonn was very athletic and enjoyed swimming, sailing and riding his bike. He would regularly ride his bike with a friend from Ft. Walton Beach to Pensacola and back!
Eamonn attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and served for many years as an altar boy. He attended Ft. Walton Beach High School where he excelled academically. He won the prestigious Rensselar Medal for achievement in math and science when he was a junior in high school. This award is given by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York to a select few. Eamonn graduated from high school as a National Merit semi-finalist and was awarded a full academic scholarship to study nuclear engineering at Louisiana State University.
After attending college, Eamonn chose a new adventure in life and joined the United States Coast Guard in 1982. Eamonn loved the sea and enjoyed traveling around the world. He rapidly advanced to Chief Petty Officer, and was picked up for every advancement, scoring highly on all his tests. He served aboard the USCG Cutter Hamilton, a 378 ft. boat out of San Pedro Island. Eamonn served 20 years in the USCG and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in charge of electronics.
Eamonn married Sue Mooring in 1980. Sue fondly remembers Eamonn as the “oyster shucking king” who could shuck oysters faster than anyone in Destin! In 1981, Patrick was the first grandchild born to the Manley clan. Patrick fondly remembers his Irish Granny Manley taking him on long walks on the beach and serving him toast and tea. The USCG brought the young Manley family to North Dakota, where Nicole was born in 1985.
Upon his retirement in 2002, Eamonn returned to his roots on the Emerald Coast. He was a voracious reader and was usually found relaxing on the beach with a good book in hand. Eamonn was the go-to person for the many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews who struggled with math and science during their high school and college years. With a photographic memory, Eamonn was able to recant stories from when he was a toddler all the way up to adulthood.
“Grandpa Manley” was Eamonn’s favorite role in life.
Eamonn is survived by his devoted children, Nicole Manley and Patrick Manley; his cherished grandchildren, Aaliyah Kishana, Claudia Allana, Emma Kathleen and Caitlin Anne; his six siblings, Rita Manley, Catherine Manley Nalesnik, Mary Manley Bryant, Brendan Manley, Theresa Frei and Martin Manley. He is remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews.
