Esmonde Manson

02/20/2002

Esmonde John Manson, 84, of 27 Kemp Ave. died Wednesday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. He was a longtime member of the North Adams Fire Department. Born in North Adams on Oct. 30, 1917, son of John and Laura Emma Bresett Manson, he graduated from Drury High School in 1935. A World War II veteran, he served with Company K, 104th Infantry of the Massachusetts National Guard and was called to active duty with the Army on June 26, 1945. He was honorably discharged June 6, 1946, as a sergeant with Headquarters Company at the Separation Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Mr. Manson was named a provisional firefighter on July 12, 1943, a temporary firefighter on June 9, 1944, then a permanent firefighter Dec. 18, 1944. He topped the list for fire captain and was appointed as a captain Dec. 1, 1949. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Fire Department Training Instructors and served as acting fire chief on numerous occasions. He retired in February 1970 after 25 years of service. He also had been employed with the former Hoosac Cotton Mills on Union Street. He was a communicant of St. Francis' Church and a member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion for 56 years. He also was a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Employees Retirees Association. He enjoyed playing golf and was a 50-year member of the North Adams Country Club. He was a former member of the North Adams Men's Senior Association and the Men's Bowling League. He leaves his wife of 63 years, the former Mildred G. Roberts, a former longtime city clerk, whom he married Nov. 26, 1938, in St. Francis' Church; a son, William D. Manson of Port Orange, Fla.; a brother, Llewellyn A. Manson of North Adams; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Another son, Robert Esmonde Manson, died Jan. 23, 1995, and two brothers, William D. Manson, who died Jan. 18, 1937, and Harry R. Manson, who died Feb. 9, 1986. The funeral will be Monday, Feb. 25, at 10:30 from FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Sunday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 7. Memorial donations are suggested to the VNA through the funeral home.

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