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CHARLES L. MANOS Veteran
January 25, 2018

Obituary

Charles Manos, former Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools and King Philip Regional Schools, died peacefully on January 25, 2018, at age 93, surrounded by his loving wife of 67 years and his two daughters.

Charles was the fourth of five children, born on July 19, 1924 to Jeanette Brymer and Nicholas Manos, in Dorchester MA. He graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School in 1941, began working at Howe’s Leather Company while studying nights at the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, becoming a graduate accountant in 1946. He enlisted in the US army and served for 13 months in the 38th infantry.

Encouraged by his mother, Charles pursued a career in education after the army. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education in 1951 and a Master’s in Education in 1959 from Keene State College, in Keene, NH. This is also where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Bette) Berry, who he married in December of 1950.

Charles began teaching in New Hampshire in Newport (Towle High School) and Claremont (Stevens High School). His became principal of the school (K-12) in Ashland NH in 1958 where he established their first library, returning to Massachusetts in 1960 as principal of Memorial High School in Middleboro MA. In 1964 he took on the challenge as principal of King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, MA, and later was promoted to Superintendent. He retired as Superintendent and Principal of the Norfolk Public Schools in 1984. He was committed to innovation and providing the best possible education to the children of Norfolk and a wonderful work environment for his teachers.

After retirement, he and Bette moved to Cape Cod, where he began a long second career as a tour guide, traveling up and down the east coast from Nova Scotia to Washington DC, sharing history lessons and silly songs with visitors from around the globe. He stopped only at age 87, when a broken hip prevented him from stepping up into the bus on his own.

Traveling was a lifelong passion. With their daughters, Charlie and Bette spent 10 summers criss-crossing North America, missing only the state of North Dakota. After retirement he and Bette ventured abroad, visiting 70 countries from Indonesia to Iceland. Wherever they went, they collected shells which Charles made into beautiful lamps, doorstops and pictures. Stamps were his favorite hobby; he often said he learned history through their stories. Every day, he loved to smile, to sing, to share puns and to brighten the day of anyone he saw.

His main joy was his family. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Bette); his daughters, Cynthia (Cindy) Reppucci and husband Rob Reppuci, and Kristen Manos and husband Dave Shryock. Also, by four wonderful grandsons, Michael Barbati Jr and wife Jules, Nicholas Barbati, Robert Rutledge-Shryock and wife Liz, and Benjamin Shryock. He is also survived by a cousin in Greece, along with many nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Charles on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 11:30 A.M. in The Brooksby Village Chapel, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, Mass. 01960.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Charles' name to the Brooksby Village Scholarship Fund,
c/o Philanthropy Office, 200 Brooksby Village Dr. Peabody, MA 01960

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Carr Funeral Services
220 Bunker Hill Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-242-1509