JOHN P. MANCHESTER, III, 81, of Hull and Punta Gorda Isles, Florida, died on Wednesday, Nov. 1st at his Hull residence surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Mr. Manchester was born in Fall River, MA and was raised and educated in Taunton, graduating from Taunton High School. He served with the United States Navy during World War II and achieved the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Area Medal with 1 Star and the European African Middle Eastern Medal. He served on the USS Ballinger and saw action with the 7th Beach Battalion in Salcombe Devon, England; Normandie, France and Iwo Jima. His ship landed the first US troops on Japan.
He came to Hull 57 years ago and following World War II, he served as a Sergeant with the Metropolitan District Police in Hull. He retired in 1978 after 30 years.
Mr. Manchester was a founder of the Panagia Greek Orthodox Church in Cohasset and the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Port Charlotte, FL. He was also a member of Konohasset Masonic Lodge in Cohasset, was an active Shriner and a member of the Weymouth Elks
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary (Anastos) Manchester. He was the father of Diane (Manchester) Fazio, John Manchester and his wife Marie and George Manchester and his wife Barbara all of Hull and Deborah (Manchester) Buttram and her husband Tom of Monterey, TN. Loving grandfather of Joseph, Dena, John Philip, Julie, Craig, Athena, Sarah, Brooke, Ashley, Cheyenne and Deidre. Loving great grandfather of Ian, Skylar, Michael, Brian and Felicity. Brother of the late Howard C. Manchester.
A Funeral Service will be conducted on Monday, Nov. 6th at 11 AM at the Panagia Greek Orthodox Church, 817 Jerusalem Rd., Cohasset, MA 02025.
Friends may visit at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond St., Hingham on Sunday from 4-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Panagia Greek Orthodox Church or to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 24411 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33980.
The interment will be in the Hull Village Cemetery, Hull.