James "Jim" Edward McManus

James Edward McManus, formerly of Middleborough, a current resident of Bridgewater, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, surrounded by his family.

James, known as Jim, Uncle Jimmy, Dad, and his proudest title, Papa, loved his family (and NewsMax) more than anything.  You could always find Jim at the soccer fields, where he coached his four kids all the way up until High School and then moved onto "reffing" soccer and basketball.  When he wasn’t "reffing", you’d find him walking around town with his dogs, most recently his buddy Jasper, a beautiful blue-eyes husky, who entered Jim’s life at just the right time.

He was a Retired Lieutenant Correctional Officer of MCI Bridgewater, where he worked for 30+ years.  The stories he told were always interesting, funny, and sometimes scary, but he would always make us laugh.  He knew that place inside out and made life-long friends who have always been there for him.

Every morning you could find him at the local convenient store purchasing his favorite scratch tickets, in hopes of winning big so he could get that beach house he always wanted.  There was nothing that brought more peace to Jim than the beach, hearing the waves crashing, or catching some rays to get that perfect tan that none of us could ever compete with.  Still on his very last days, he was told “don’t worry Dad, you’re still the tannest of us all”.

A lover of all Boston sports, wearing Ted Williams number nine on his left arm showing his love for baseball and his favorite player.  Growing up he would attend Ted Williams Baseball Camp, where his love for the game and Ted began.  We’d always find ourselves surrounded by nines, like that time we went to Fenway and sat in the 409 club, in row 9 and just happened to have Jim sit in seat number 9.

Jim and his wife Anne traveled up and down the east coast for their kids club soccer tournaments and vacationed in Florida, Aruba, Punta Cana and the Cape.  One of his favorite places was Onset Beach, where they’d go annually to stay at their favorite B&B right on the ocean.  He enjoyed some of the simple things in life like sitting on the front porch and sipping coffee while smelling the crisp salty air.

Jim, also known as the GOAT, worlds greatest Papa, took that title in 2015 and boy was he the greatest!  His grandkids were the light of his life, walking them to the playground, rocking them to sleep, teaching them how to swim in his pool, pulling them all around town in their red radio flyer wagon.  The most hands-on Papa and those kids adored him.  He was truly one of a kind.  His grandchildren had all sorts of nicknames for family members but when it came to Papa his name was fitting “Perfect Papa”.

Jim was kind, strong, compassionate, funny, warm-hearted, loving-and the list goes on.  He was truly one of the good ones and will be missed immensely, forever and ever.  We miss you Jim, Dad, Papa. xo

Jim is survived by his wife Anne (Malley) McManus of 34 years; their four children, Kendra Nekritin & husband Alex of Delray Beach, FL, Erin Gallagher & husband William “Billy” of Taunton, Catherine McManus & partner Ana of Bridgewater, and Meredith Garcia & husband TJ of Stoughton; his four grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Declan, Lucy, Brenna and Anthony.  Jim is also survived by his siblings, Karyl Hart & husband John of Port Charlotte, FL, Terry McManus of Port Charlotte, FL, Kathleen “Kathy” Beals & husband Robert of West Bridgewater, Karen Nolette & husband Fred of Taunton; and predeceased by his parents, Albert & Sylvia (Caswell) McManus formerly of Middleborough and his brother and best friend, Thomas McManus formerly of Wareham.  Additionally, Jim is survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who adored and loved him.

Family and friends are welcome to the visiting hours at the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak Street, Middleborough, on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 3:00-6:15 PM, with a prayer service starting at 6:30 PM.

Interment services will be private.

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