Michael James Manning

Michael James Manning of West Chester formerly of Havertown, PA passed away on January 20, 2025 after a courageous, 30 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

Mike, a Marine Corp Veteran, was a career educator and basketball coach, spending 35 years in the Lower Merion School District and 30 years as the Recreation Supervisor for Lower Merion Township. As a long time basketball coach, Mike could be found not only coaching the Aces to Central League championships, but around the Ardmore Ave and Narberth courts. His Saturday morning Optimist Club basketball clinics brought hundreds of young people to the hardwood. A beloved Health and Physical Education teacher, Mr. Manning was known for his famous caveat, if you could beat him in badminton, you would get an A. Every year, students would line up to take their shot and in thirty-five years, only one student ever beat him. 

Mike was born March 25, 1943 the second of five children to John and Frances Manning. He grew up in Drexel Hill, Pa attending St. Dorothy's and then Monsignor Bonner High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. Mike is currently enshrined in the Bonner High School Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1959-60 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship Basketball team. Mike attended West Chester University where he had a stellar collegiate basketball career; graduating in 1966 with B.A. and later earning his M.Ed.

An exercise enthusiast, Mike spent his time playing golf, tennis and softball. A well known road warrior racking up hundreds of miles on his car traveling to College Park, Cullowhee, and Harrisonburg to watch his children compete in collegiate athletics. In retirement, Mike was fortunate to travel both domestically and abroad with a group of lifelong friends. A devoted Pop-Pop to his nine grandchildren he prioritized spending summers on the beach with them in New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. As Mike aged and Parkinson’s took its toll on his ability to move, he set one goal-he wanted to see his grandchildren play college sports, which he achieved. In the spring he was fueled by the college lacrosse season. You could often find him with TV’s, laptops and ipads set up watching multiple college lacrosse games at once. 

Mike is preceded by his loving wife of 56 years, Sarajane Robertson Manning. He is survived by his three children Kerstin Manning Kimel (Jack), Michael Robertson Manning (Karen), Lindsay Manning Mulhern (Matt) and nine grandchildren: Caroline, Mac, Cullen, Sydney, Quinn, Shea, Colton, Claire and Padriac. As well as his four siblings John Manning of Arlington VA and Naples, FL, Mary Frances Brennan of Oklahoma City, OK, Edward Manning of Corona Del Mar, CA and Christopher Manning of Newtown Square, PA. and many nieces and nephews. 

Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial mass on January 27, 2025 at 11:00 am at Ss. Simon & Jude in West Chester, PA. Visiting hours with the family will take place on Sunday January 26, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation in honor of Michael J. Manning.