Joseph “Tom” Thruston Manning

Joseph “Tom” Thruston Manning, IV (77) passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023 in Fort Myers, FL. Tom was born February 20, 1946 to Joseph Thruston Manning, III & Virginia Rose Larzelere in Philadelphia, PA where he grew up in the Wyndmoor and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods. He was a 1963 graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy and completed a post-graduate year at The Lawrenceville School in Mercer County, NJ. He then went on to the University of Miami before enlisting in the Navy. Tom served his country from 1966-1969 aboard the USS Blue and the USS Chicago. After his time in the service, Tom earned his Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) from Temple University and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Lehigh University. He spent most of his career in project management and worked until retirement for the State Liquor Control Board of Pennsylvania. Tom loved spending his summers at Seaside Park, NJ. He was an active member of the Seaside Park Yacht Club for many years. He enjoyed boating, was a history buff, and loved to read. He was very supportive of wildlife conservation and historical preservation.

After retirement in 2013, Tom and his wife, Eloise (Reynolds) moved to Fort Myers, Florida where they enjoyed the warm sunshine and snowless winters together. They enjoyed various social memberships including Sandy Run Country Club in Oreland, Pennsylvania and Gulf Harbour Yacht and Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eloise, daughter Megan (Trevor) Swartz, Nathan (18), Kenneth “Wade” (16), & Shea (13) of Fort Myers, Florida, and son, Eric (Keely) Manning, Alexis (predeceased 2006), Julia (16), Kaitlyn (14), & Skylar (9) of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by sisters Carol Allen of Erdenheim, PA and her sons Hunter and Garrett Allen and Deborah (Timothy) Kane of York, PA and her sons Jared & Colin Kane.

Tom died peacefully in Fort Myers, FL with immediate family at his bedside and is now reunited with granddaughter, Alexis, and other cherished family members and beloved pets.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday, May 19th , 2023 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Friends of the Wissahickon, 40 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 108, Philadelphia, PA 19118 (www.fow.org) or Hope Hospice of Fort Myers, FL (www.hopehcs.org)