Henry Manwell

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

I will treasure many fond memories of "Big Jim" at 440 Gallery. I send love to all the family. Ellen Chuse

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

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.

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