Joseph C. 'Neil' McManus Jr.

Joseph C. “Neil” McManus Jr., 91, of Mt. Pleasant, SC died at home with his family by his side on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on Saturday, July 26, 1924, in Charleston, SC to the late Mrs. Mary Cecilia McGrane McManus and the late Mr. Joseph C. McManus Sr. Neil was a graduate of Bishop England High School (Class of 1941), a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1944 and, at that time, the youngest ever to graduate from Notre Dame at age 19) and served in the U. S. Navy in WWII and The Korean War. Neil then began his successful career as a research chemical engineer at Westvaco in the paper and pulp industry, where he achieved two patents for chemical processes. A lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, he was presented the SC Annual Catholicity Award in 1969, served as president of the Serra Club and the Holy Name Society, and was a dedicated parishioner of Christ Our King Catholic Church. There was no greater fan of Notre Dame football; Neil was instrumental in forming the South Carolina chapter of the University of Notre Dame Club and served as president. After retirement, Neil served in various community outreach organizations, most noteworthy and dear to his heart, were the Our Lady of Mercy Outreach Neighborhood House Soup Kitchen and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He enjoyed daily mass, Notre Dame football, reading, sailing in the harbor, and spending time at Station 9 on the Island (Sullivan’s, of course). His family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He is survived by his loving bride of 65 years, Gertrude “Trudie” Cochran McManus, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; five children, Trudie Dattilo (Philip), of Houston, TX; Peggy Hamilton (Milton), of Chester, SC; Joseph C. “Neil” McManus III (Rausa), of Durham, NC; Miriam McManus, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and Eileen Clark (Steve), of Mt. Pleasant, SC; fourteen grandchildren, Claire Parker (Spencer), Philip Dattilo Jr. (Katie), Joseph Dattilo (Zita), Anna Dattilo Acker (Danny); Milton Hamilton Jr. (Keys), Raymond Hamilton (April), Patrick Hamilton (Dana); Joseph C. “Cory” McManus IV (Tildsley), Kirt McManus, Mary Kate McManus, John McManus; Elizabeth Clark, Mary Shadler Clark, Caroline Clark; twelve great grandchildren, Cecilia and Virginia Parker; Eva, Sophia and Philip Paul Dattilo III; Rease and Ellis Hamilton; Georgia and Sullivan Hamilton; Patrick Whitlock Hamilton Jr., Cecilia, and Brandon Hamilton; loving foster daughter, Teresa Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; dear family friend, Karen Hunker; and many adored nieces, nephews and friends, and his two favorite Golden Retrievers “Annie” and “Gertie.” He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Margaret McManus Cronin; brothers, Terence McManus, Dr. Eugene McManus and Ronald McManus. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 16, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Rosary to be recited at 5:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made in his memory to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1122 Russell Drive, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, The Neighborhood House, P.O. Box 12410, Charleston, 29422. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE ROAD, MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833. --