Henry Manwell
May 22, 1945 - July 18, 2022
Obituary
Henry James “Jim” Manwell passed away from complications of Covid-19 on Monday, July 18, 2022 while at the family lakeside cottage in Michigan. His life spanned 77 years, six continents, several careers, and thousands of friendships made, stories told, and lives touched. Until the very end, he was in direct communication with his many family and friends, and will be missed dearly by all.
Jim was born on May 22, 1945, the eldest child of Henry James Manwell and his wife Mary Martha (nee Golibart). He was notably one of the oldest cousins in a large family on his mother's side – his maternal grandfather, Simon Golibart, married his grandmother Frances Rohrbach in 1912 (or 1913), and in short order their siblings also found love, creating strong connections between the Golibart and Rohrbach families, and over 100 double-first cousins. This large, tightly knit, but at times rowdy family was ever-present through Jim's life. For the past 20 years, he acted as a de facto family historian, allowing him to revel in the stories of the family, while also providing him an opportunity to maintain bonds and connection across generations of the wide-spread family.
While born in Washington, DC, he was raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and always prided himself on his Midwest values and work ethic. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist at St. Andrews High school, then joined the Jesuits to study at Colombiere College, eventually earning two Masters degrees, in classics and theology, at Loyola Chicago. Through-out, he played high school football, was a member of the church, and worked at Michigan institutions of Mooney's ice cream and Ford during summers. Eventually, he graduated with an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1975, which strongly colored his sports preferences going forward – he could always be counted on for a rousing “Go Blue!” on Saturdays in the fall.
Jim moved to the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn in the mid-70s. A noted raconteur, over the many years, he built friendships and community wherever he went—at his church St Francis Xavier, as a referee with the local AYSO league, or just walking down 7th Avenue for bagels. No one was immune from a “Big Jim talk” – shopkeepers, neurosurgeons, pastors, our mayor, building managers, former colleagues, artists, or fellow parents – all heard about the latest goings-on for the world, the neighborhood, Michigan football, the Lions, his family, or each other. Big Jim kept everyone connected.
His faith was a constant presence throughout his life. Starting as an altar boy at an early age, and progressing to be a Jesuit scholastic (until he met his wife Anne!), he maintained a strong connection to the doctrine and practice of the church. He was a regular church goer, and as a lector, his booming voice was recognizable to the congregation. Recently, however, he struggled with the American Catholic leadership, leading him to leave the church, a decision that was very difficult. Over time, with consideration and much discussion with friends, he eventually chose to follow his faith, and see the good of Catholicism overall, and returned.
From an early age, Jim had a huge love for the written word: history, philosophy, all kinds of literature, and his daily NYTimes (print edition). He leaves behind a study jam packed with well-loved books, a storage locker with the overflows, as well as a wake of library books that were fodder for his mind, and kindling for years of conversations.
Jim's long career as an executive and consultant in retail allowed him extensive opportunities for world wide travel. He traveled to six continents, immersing himself in the multiple cultures he had heretofore known through books, and then returning to recount his adventures to friends and family.
He loved New York deeply, for its vibrancy, its people, and all the activity piqued his curiosity. But, he most loved New York's arts scene. Jim and his wife Anne were a regular presence at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Metropolitan Opera, and countless other shows through the year. In fact, there was a family tradition to attend whatever was that year's “in” show for Christmas. They also were members of the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and many more. Recently, Jim and Anne found a home with Brooklyn's 440 gallery. They believed in supporting good causes and felt a responsibility to participate in the gallery's success – collecting dozens of artworks for themselves and their family, and actively supporting gallery's programming, especially the regular jazz events, Me, Myself, and Eye.
He loved his family most of all. He is survived by his wife Anne, children and their spouses Paul (Jennifer), and Katherine (Quest), and granddaughters Frances, Adeline, and Sophie. He maintained strong bonds with and will be missed by his family, his siblings Terry (Kathleen), John, Mary Agnes (John Jackson), as well as hundreds of cousins across many generations.
Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 225 6th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215.
In lieu of flowers, Jim would have wanted donations to be made to the Making Headway Foundation. The foundation provided great care and support to the family over the years. Donations can be made at https://makingheadway.org/donate/
For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services, 989-755-8277. Condolences may be left at www.fischerfuneral.com.
Jim was born on May 22, 1945, the eldest child of Henry James Manwell and his wife Mary Martha (nee Golibart). He was notably one of the oldest cousins in a large family on his mother's side – his maternal grandfather, Simon Golibart, married his grandmother Frances Rohrbach in 1912 (or 1913), and in short order their siblings also found love, creating strong connections between the Golibart and Rohrbach families, and over 100 double-first cousins. This large, tightly knit, but at times rowdy family was ever-present through Jim's life. For the past 20 years, he acted as a de facto family historian, allowing him to revel in the stories of the family, while also providing him an opportunity to maintain bonds and connection across generations of the wide-spread family.
While born in Washington, DC, he was raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and always prided himself on his Midwest values and work ethic. He was a National Merit Scholarship finalist at St. Andrews High school, then joined the Jesuits to study at Colombiere College, eventually earning two Masters degrees, in classics and theology, at Loyola Chicago. Through-out, he played high school football, was a member of the church, and worked at Michigan institutions of Mooney's ice cream and Ford during summers. Eventually, he graduated with an MBA from the University of Michigan in 1975, which strongly colored his sports preferences going forward – he could always be counted on for a rousing “Go Blue!” on Saturdays in the fall.
Jim moved to the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn in the mid-70s. A noted raconteur, over the many years, he built friendships and community wherever he went—at his church St Francis Xavier, as a referee with the local AYSO league, or just walking down 7th Avenue for bagels. No one was immune from a “Big Jim talk” – shopkeepers, neurosurgeons, pastors, our mayor, building managers, former colleagues, artists, or fellow parents – all heard about the latest goings-on for the world, the neighborhood, Michigan football, the Lions, his family, or each other. Big Jim kept everyone connected.
His faith was a constant presence throughout his life. Starting as an altar boy at an early age, and progressing to be a Jesuit scholastic (until he met his wife Anne!), he maintained a strong connection to the doctrine and practice of the church. He was a regular church goer, and as a lector, his booming voice was recognizable to the congregation. Recently, however, he struggled with the American Catholic leadership, leading him to leave the church, a decision that was very difficult. Over time, with consideration and much discussion with friends, he eventually chose to follow his faith, and see the good of Catholicism overall, and returned.
From an early age, Jim had a huge love for the written word: history, philosophy, all kinds of literature, and his daily NYTimes (print edition). He leaves behind a study jam packed with well-loved books, a storage locker with the overflows, as well as a wake of library books that were fodder for his mind, and kindling for years of conversations.
Jim's long career as an executive and consultant in retail allowed him extensive opportunities for world wide travel. He traveled to six continents, immersing himself in the multiple cultures he had heretofore known through books, and then returning to recount his adventures to friends and family.
He loved New York deeply, for its vibrancy, its people, and all the activity piqued his curiosity. But, he most loved New York's arts scene. Jim and his wife Anne were a regular presence at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Metropolitan Opera, and countless other shows through the year. In fact, there was a family tradition to attend whatever was that year's “in” show for Christmas. They also were members of the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and many more. Recently, Jim and Anne found a home with Brooklyn's 440 gallery. They believed in supporting good causes and felt a responsibility to participate in the gallery's success – collecting dozens of artworks for themselves and their family, and actively supporting gallery's programming, especially the regular jazz events, Me, Myself, and Eye.
He loved his family most of all. He is survived by his wife Anne, children and their spouses Paul (Jennifer), and Katherine (Quest), and granddaughters Frances, Adeline, and Sophie. He maintained strong bonds with and will be missed by his family, his siblings Terry (Kathleen), John, Mary Agnes (John Jackson), as well as hundreds of cousins across many generations.
Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 225 6th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215.
In lieu of flowers, Jim would have wanted donations to be made to the Making Headway Foundation. The foundation provided great care and support to the family over the years. Donations can be made at https://makingheadway.org/donate/
For information, please contact Fischer Family Funeral Services, 989-755-8277. Condolences may be left at www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
FG
Francis golibart
Other •
How quick things happened in a little town called lapeer. Spoke with Aggie after she and family had a get together at the new greeting center and restaurant on the Edsel ford estate. She was on her annual visit to Michigan and to meet with Jim and Terry. Anne and Jim are in separate hospitals and it's the lapeer hospital that Jimmy ended up in. That's the town Liz and I moved to 13 years ago. Anyway Aggie asked if I'd bring newspapers for Jimmy to read books before transferring him to flint the next day or two. That evening after feeling better and getting up to sit he quietly passed on. I'll always remember his deep voice and large presence. I remember moving Anne out of her Detroit apartment as they began their life together in New York. Love you both Fran golibart
EC
Ellen Chuse
Other •
I will treasure many fond memories of "Big Jim" at 440 Gallery. I send love to all the family. Ellen Chuse
DS
Dolores Slowinski
Other •
I met Jim, along with several other Jesuit Scholastics, at the University of Detroit. My friend Eileen and I shared a locker and often baked cookies and stashed them in the locker. Jim had the combination and would avail himself of a cookie or two between classes. I left UofD to pursue studies in Fine Arts at Wayne State University, worked in arts administration and eventually moved to Saginaw, then back to Detroit. Jim and I have kept in touch via letter, emails, and phone calls for 55 years. Knowing my feminism, he would address me as Ms. Slowinski with a buzzing emphasis on the Ms. I would reply, Mr. Manwell.
I remember his scowl, those thick eyebrows ruched together, his lips tightly pursed, followed by, "Hmmm, I don't think so!" when about to disagree with me on some point. And then there would be laughter that exploded with a big HaHaHa! that quickly devolved into a Heeheehee! if it really tickled him.
It was wonderful to meet Anne, whose presence was always revered by Jim, and here of their parenting adventures.
When our daughter moved to Brooklyn to attend college, Jim and Anne were her Brooklyn Mom & Dad. Good thing too as Claire developed appendicitis and needed emergency surgery. Jim met her at the hospital and stayed with her and called us whenever the docs made a decision as we frantically scrambled to make flight arrangements to go to NY. He was in the hospital the following morning when we arrived and Claire came out of surgery. Jim told us that he knew the surgeon from refereeing soccer games! Jim had contacts everywhere.
Jim and Anne stored Claire's stuff and hosted dinners for her and her roommate at Pratt. Such generosity can never be repaid.
We attended Kate and Quest's wedding and concluded that it was THE BEST wedding ever. We had such great fun with the family.
When I had my first solo show, Jim and Anne came to Detroit and purchased a piece for their collection. Always supportive intellectually, emotionally, we will miss his booming presence in our lives. Sending loving hugs to the entire family. Dolores Slowinski, Bob D'Aoust, Claire D'Aoust
JC
Joe Coencas
Other •
Niall and I are saddened by the death of Jim, our neighbor and friend on 6th Ave. in Park Slope. We spent many times chatting with Jim along the Avenue and sharing drinks, stories and great community meals at our block parties over the years. Sending hugs to the Manwells who we have known for so many years. May he Rest In Peace.
PG
Peter Goldberger
Other •
Jim and I first met in 1998 when he was Director of Referee Instruction for the Northeast Section of the American Youth Soccer Org and I was taking my first Referee course. We have been friends and worked together for the organization ever since as both referees and instructors. Together, we have helped hundreds of parents and teens become soccer referees and have tried to make the game more enjoyable for the children of New York. Jim was recently appointed as Director of Referee Assessment for the AYSO Section and I was, once again, looking forward to working with him for the benefit of the AYSO kids.
We also shared a strong connection to the University of Michigan where Jim and my daughter are both alumni. We cheered and cried together at the Wolverine's successes and failures in their athletic endeavors.
Jim was a gentle giant, always interested in imparting his vast knowledge in so many subjects and in making everyone else's life fuller. His love and respect for Anne and his children often came up in conversation.
Jim will be dearly missed by all those who knew him and by the many he helped during his lifetime. Rest in peace my friend.
Peter Goldberger
Section Referee Administrator - AYSO
PO
Patrick O'Leary
Other •
Jim Manwell was a unique human being. We entered the Jesuit Order @ Colombiere College in 1963. Jim was one of the very few, in our class of 32, who had not attended a Jesuit high school. We delighted in his different perspective to our Jesuit formation.
I lost touch with him after 1965, but he reconnected to organize a reunion of Jesuit "alumni" (those who had been at Colombiere between 1963-67). Nearly all of us had left the Jesuits by 2013, when he convened a gathering at his summer home in the Michigan Thumb. He furthered our re-connection by coordinating reunions @ Colombiere in 2019 & 2022, and by encouraging an email platform to continue sharing reflections.
Besides the good feelings he encouraged by the actual gatherings, Jim sparked a profound sharing of spiritual growth over more than 50 years. I was personally struck by how dedicated my fellow former Jesuits were to service. Most of us had resigned from religious life and ordination, but continued in the same spirit of "contemplatives in action" that had been our Colombiere experience.
Jim would call me, almost monthly, to chat about a wide variety of topics. I was delighted that he had found me and pursued a long distance friendship that went far beyond those early years @ Colombiere. I came to know the mature Jim Manwell ... the intellectual ... the father & grandfather ... the husband to Anne. He was a delightfully complex and affirming friend. His sudden death is a severe loss to us all. Jim Manwell will be missed!