Eugene Manion

Eugene (Gene) John Manion Gene Manion, 74, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, October 30, 2010 at Forsyth Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. Gene was born August 30, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Michael George Manion and Mary Frances Fay Manion. Gene was a graduate of Belmont Abbey College, served in the US Army and was one of the first volunteers of the Kennedy Peace Corps. After returning from his service in Brazil, Gene joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system in 1968 where he taught in Special Programs for several years. After retirement, Gene started playing bridge at the Charlotte Bridge Association and at the time of his death was a Silver Life Master. He was an ACBL Club Director, chaired many Sectional and Regional Bridge Tournaments, and tirelessly taught hundreds of others to play the game he loved so much. Besides bridge, Gene always put family first. He loved and was loved by his entire family. He was an avid reader, loved movies, music and dancing. He enjoyed being with others, sharing memories and was a great story teller. He served his community as Precinct Judge for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Elections. His service and influence will be missed by many. Survivors include his brothers Tommy Manion and Mickey Manion; sister, Pat Manion; sister-in-law, Mary Manion; Jose dos Santos and family; and by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and students. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary (Sissy) Manion Foster, Joan Manion, sister-in-law Martha Ann Manion, nephews Patrick Foster, Timothy Manion, Patrick Marshall, Joshua Foster, and Noah Daniels. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 4 at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service on East Blvd in Dilworth. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church with interment following in Sharon Memorial Park. Per Gene?s request, a celebration of his life will be held at the Charlotte Bridge Association 510 East Park Avenue on Saturday, November 6 at 5:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bridge at Schools, Inc. http://www.bridgeatschools.org/individual_donors.htm