Captain James M. Manning

Portsmouth -- James M. Manning died suddenly of a complication from a previously undetected genetic heart condition on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, while enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, a walk around Portsmouth where he had resided and enjoyed life for 14 years.

He was born in 1946 in Boston and raised in Quincy, Mass. He attended Boston College High School and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1968. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for five years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, Darlene McKinnon Manning, and his children who adored him, Andrea K. Manning and her fiancé, Benjamin Weetman, of New York, N.Y., and Michael K. Manning and his wife, Carey, of Atlanta, Ga.; his sister, Elaine Manning of Kittery, Maine; two brothers, David Manning and his wife, Kathy, of Milton, Mass., and Stephen Manning and his wife, Janis, of Salem, Mass.; stepchildren Maggie Towle and Kyle Towle of Exeter, and many other family members and friends. He was predeceased by his father, John Joseph Manning, and his mother, Helen Manning McGoldrick, as well as his stepbrother, John Joseph Manning III.

WE REMEMBER: Jim, or "Buckets" as he was affectionately known, was an avid sports fan; he loved the Celtics, Patriots and Holy Cross Crusaders, but no team more than the Boston Red Sox. He was a referee for the Hampton Youth Association basketball, loved watching both Andrea and Michael play basketball and enjoyed many lighthearted rounds of golf with his wife, children and friends.

Jim was an affable, kind and thoughtful soul who brought light and warmth to a room as soon as he entered it. He loved the city of Portsmouth and proudly showed if off to visitors from near and far.

What he enjoyed most was simply spending time with his family. He had recently turned 60 and married his companion of many years and he reveled in having all whom he loved celebrate the occasion on the Thomas Leighton in Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to A Safe Place, 6 Greenleaf Woods Drive, Unit 101, Portsmouth, NH 03801or at www.asafeplacenh.org.