Francis Julian Manley, Sr.

Francis Julian Manley, 93, beloved husband, father and friend, died Friday, September 5, 2008 at a local hospital. Born July 22, 1915 in Asheville, Francis was the only child of Patrick D. and Julia Cauble Manley. Upon graduation from Asheville High School in 1934, he attended Asheville-Biltmore College, but left to assist in supporting the family during the Depression. Francis was always known as a great salesman. He worked in his uncle's plumbing business before beginning his career in hospital and medical supplies in 1938 when he joined Wachtel's Inc. Francis met the love of his life, Harriet A. Storms at St. Lawrence Church, where they were wed on May 12, 1943. Francis enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and was selected to become a medical doctor, but opted to work in medical supplies for family reasons. He was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC when he and Harriet were wed. Francis was deployed to Europe in November of 1942 as Staff Sergeant in the 103rd Evacuation Unit supporting the 3rd Army. He also served in France after the Battle of The Bulge as well as in Munich and Poland, where he assisted in freeing the survivors of a concentration camp. After WWII, Francis returned to Asheville and Wachtel's, which he eventually bought in 1955 and later sold to General Medical in 1968. He continued as a Division Manager for NC, SC, GA, TN and KY until his retirement in 1982. He then spent 10 years in commercial real estate. Francis and Harriet raised and educated a family of six - Francis Manley, Jr., of Kansas City, MO; Joseph Manley, of New York, NY; Jim Manley, of Oakland, CA; Mary Joan Pugh and her husband, Alan, of Asheboro, NC; Catherine Banks and her husband, Earl, of Atlanta, GA and Margaret Pérez and her husband, José, of Lake Worth, FL. Among them, they have earned one PhD, five Masters and five Bachelors degrees. In addition, Francis and Harriet have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Francis was a devout Catholic and active at his church, the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M., where he served as an usher. He was also a Eucharistic minister for many years and served in the Diocese of Charlotte, including the Western NC Retreat. He was a Grand Knight, held the rank of 4th Degree and had 60 years of service in the Knights of Columbus and Honor Guard. Francis was also a member of the Order of Hibernians. He and Harriet are members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, an honorary society of the Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 8, 2008 at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M., with the Reverend Father C. Morris Boyd officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:30 PM on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.