OBITUARIES

Devoted family man, veteran John ‘Sean’ Mannion, dies at 82

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John “Sean” Mannion, 82, passed away at his home in Riverdale on May 2, 2018, surrounded by his family.

He was born Jan. 28, 1936, in Cartoon, Manulla, County Mayo, Ireland, to Delia (Moran) and Timothy Mannion — the youngest of four children. He is survived by his loving sister Mary Carney and Margaret Smith, and preceded in death by his youngest sister, Kaye Riordan.

In 1958, he left County Mayo to visit his family and build a new life in the United States. Two years later, he joined the U.S. Army as a combat engineer from 1960 to 1962 in Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, as well as Fort Sheridan in Illinois, Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and Fort Dix in New Jersey.

He received an honorable discharge, and took the skills he learned to later become a licensed plumber.

On one of his many visits back to Ireland to see his parents, his blue eyes and smile caught the attention of his childhood neighbor, Mary Anne “Marion” Coughter. He and Marion were married in their hometown Balla, County Mayo, on Jan. 27, 1968, and moved to Dublin, where their daughter Aundree was born.

Three years later, they moved back to the United States to settle in Riverdale, where their son, Sean Jr., was born. 

During their life together, the couple lived in Fieldston Garden Apartments for more than 40 years, where he retired as the superintendent of the same building in June 2015. They were both active members of St. Garbiel’s parish in the Bronx, where he was a parish council member for 10 years, a Eucharistic minister, and he and his wife helped with countless school functions.

He also was a very active American Legion member in Post 1525 in Riverdale. He served as both a member and post commander from 1993-97. He later became the Bronx County commander from 1998-99, department historian from 1999-2000, and finally first district commander on the national level from 2009-10. In addition, he was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

He is survived by his beloved wife Marion (Coughter) of 50 years; daughter Aundree (Noriega); son Sean; son-in-law Fred Noriega; daughter-in-law Christina (Fleming); four grandchildren — Colleen (22), Sean Riley (14), Derek (10), Robby (8); and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and adored.

He will be remembered for his family and friends, community service, blue eyes and great smile. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Sean Mannion will be held Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m., at St. Gabriel’s Parish, 3250 Arlington Ave.

In lieu of flowers, a tribute gift in Sean’s name can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org), to help them find a cure.

John “Sean” Mannion