Thomas George Manney was born March 23rd, 1943 in New York City to father, Harold [Manney] and mother, Josephine [Hogan-Manney.] Sisters, Eileen, Lillian, Lois, Kathleen, Dyan, Michael.

He stood tall, happy-go-lucky, strikingly handsome and carried a sense of genuine responsibility for his family and friends firsthand.

The brother of 6 siblings; a large extended Irish ancestry lineage, he made his way through the streets of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island NY, before deciding at the youthful age of 17 years old to join the United States Navy. In addition, he educated himself at Rutgers University in Business Management.

After traveling the high international seas, Tom was ready to get married to his beloved wife, Diane and begin fatherhood for his daughter Melinda and his son Luke. He was faithfully married and in love with her for close to 60 years.

Indeed, Tom was "a visionary" with quite an expanded way of communicating his worldly thoughts on many newsworthy topics! He had his opinions, but was clever, protective and "street smart."

He definitely had a knack of engaging you in the "depth of conversation" whether it was about his latest novel he was reading or a mystery he was trying to convey or unravel... there was never a dull moment when you were in Tom's presence.

Even more now, reaching for memories in photographs, Tom carried on with all the family traditions, birthdays, anniversaries, roadtrips, and celebrations.

Tom and Diane were known to be the "life of the party" and keeping a real connection to cohesively following along with their mutual plans for everyone to ensure a fun time at their home along with lots of cousins and second cousins like Patricia Craven & Glenn Feit, John & Susie Vitale!

Dad was punctual and attentive at dance recitals for cheerleading and drill team for his daughter, shopping for school clothes, as well a plethora of wrestling matches over the years for his son, while still making time for dinner at a table set for four.

He loved "coming home" to his kitchen with a certain swag, having his eyeglasses on and then off to show you he really was listening and talking at the same time.

Dad solved all our problems and was always up for a game of chess or Monopoly.

Growing up with Dad and Mom in Texas was our sparkling years. He worked diligently and constructively, yet it was clear to all us that "being a Dad, Uncle, Brother, and brother in law" to Gary/Paul Langan, Dave, Bonnie, Keith, Kelly, Katie, Art Hansen, Pamela & Arthur, Andrew Beldy, Lee Secrest, Peter Booth and Alfred honoring his sister in laws, Marilyn and Patti Langan, son in law Charles and daughter in law, Belinda and of course, wholeheartedly a "PAPA" to Chase, Duke, Marcus-- was where his best assets shined bright.

So many cherished memories with Best friends with Frank/ Marie Frontario, Craig/Suzy, Gail and Dean, Karen & Mickey.

He enthusiastically loved taking his grandsons to the McCormick Ranch Park in Scottsdale, Arizona, viewing the canyons of Sedona and finding special rocks and lizards together.

One day, a childhood cat unexpectedly had eight kittens in our Dallas house, it wasn't shortly after that, Dad built the most creative fort with cardboard boxes, handmade slides, ladders, newspapers and tunnels for them to casually crawl, climb and jump from.

He enjoyed making things from scratch. A naturalist, Dad just implemented on improvement and making it better. He knew how to deal with all kinds of weather!

That was Tom, always a step ahead, everything was easier to see and understand what truly matters. He embraced the real stuff and the hard challenges that somehow got us all through the day. "FIND YOUR BLISS" were common words from Tom.

Overall, Tom cherished "that human connection" and he shared that honesty in silence and simple modesty linked to wisdom.

He had a direction of nourishing others with his funny sense of humor and drive to help others feel ambitious. Tom was humble and still curious about how life evolves.

He loved the beach, the waves, Key West, Ameila Island, Siesta Key, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, the New Jersey Shore, cruises over the years with his friends, dancing at the Square, old 1970's rock and roll, his beer, barbecues, the pool, spending time with his brother and sister in laws, nieces, nephews and all the pets and dogs who had a safe haven on his lap over the years, especially Jasper his White Siamese who passed away to Rainbow Bridge at 15yrs old after Diane.

Days and weekends just blended like a symphony on his own clock in the Villages. He loved his tea with milk and Entemanns cake in the evening... especially with his Dee Dee, his best friend, our Mom who was always close by.

"He was a Sailor at heart."

Tom definitely slowed down time for all who knew him. He will be dearly missed by his large circle of people/friends that he formed through his neighborly town, which was woven like a spiritual quilt around him.

To his children and grandchildren he stood as our "Hero." Fly High Eagle Man and soar toward your sunsets.

We love you to the Moon and back!

Tom and Diane will be laid together to rest peacefully at The Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Tom served as a member of The American Legion for 24 years and was also a member of the Florida Sheriff's Association.

Furthermore, Tom was an advocate for the Wounded Warriors, ASPCA, the future of NASA Space Exploration, preserving old Western Cowboy & Indian movies, he really digged actor John Wayne, a fan of the Texas Rangers baseball team, NFL Philadelphia Eagles, singers: Toby Keith, Frank Sinatra and Whitney Houston. He never missed celebrating St. Patrick's Day and lived for a good' ol fashioned-medium well burger.

"Dearest Dad forevermore, you are the wind now beneath our wings."

Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.

Amazing Grace by Celtic Woman

https://youtu.be/_gSCqV1Jz54?si=TmmxJbg3p8f1II20

Willie Nelson

https://youtu.be/NTiFS9g-v_o?si=zGMl9C4sm-V4lC_u