James "Jim" Manley Jr.

James L. Manley Jr.

1938 - 2025

James Leslie Manley Jr., beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 25th, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on Mears Road in Milton in 1938 to James L. Manley Sr. and Gertrude Mears Manley, Jim was a man of integrity, warmth, and boundless energy who touched the lives of everyone he encountered.

Jim graduated from Milton High School in 1956 and was active in music, sports, and, later, alumni reunions. A member of the University of Vermont Class of 1960, he obtained a B.S. degree in Dairy Science Technology. While at UVM, Jim was a charter member of the UVM chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the agricultural fraternity. His longstanding connection to UVM was evident in his continued support for their basketball team. In the 1960s, Jim was a Vermont Air National Guard member and, out of college, he was recruited to work at Ayerst Labs in Rouses Point, NY. For most of his life, he was a dairy and crop farmer, and then he later divided his time between farming, building homes, and working as a licensed real estate broker. Jim enjoyed traveling and took many trips with family around the country, including Alaska and throughout the Caribbean and Europe. 

Jim loved giving back and engaging in the community of Milton, a town he cherished. He volunteered his time coaching youth sports and was known never to miss a game of his sons and grandchildren. Jim enjoyed connecting with friends and the community during his barn sales and while visiting yard sales. He was delighted with his membership in the Milton Grange, the Milton Historical Society, and the United Church of Milton, and he also loved pulling up a chair during the morning coffee group at Rene's store. 

Every year on his birthday, March 2nd, Jim would be in the family sugar house enjoying the sugaring process, a role he treasured passing down to his children and grandchildren. Jim was a proud steward of his family's land, including Arrowhead Mountain, and was dedicated to preserving its legacy. He maintained the farm equipment and tended the fields with his family until last summer. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine (Cota) Manley, whom he married in 1979, and sons James Vernon (J.V.) Manley and wife Lynne (Pekala) Manley, Mark Patrick Manley, partner Kendra Carey, Jeffrey Thomas Manley, and wife Michelle (Zitta) Manley, all of Milton. He was so proud of his sons. He was also a proud stepfather to Brad Walker Wright and his wife, Yahui Hou of California. He adored his grandchildren, Owen Manley, Katherine Manley, Evelyn Manley, Logan Manley, and Caroline Manley, who brought him endless joy and pride. He also enjoyed the company of Owen's partner, Nicole DeOrsey. Jim's many nieces and nephews were very special to him, and Jim always said he was blessed to have the in-law families of the Cotas and the Duffys and Rowleys, whom he loved and enjoyed spending time with. 

Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Ellen "Nell" (Duffy) Manley in 1968, and by his older sisters Jane and her husband John Fitzgerald, Betty and her husband Alfred McLane, and Nancy and her husband Frank Bullis, whose memories he held close to his heart along with memories of his mother and father and his extended family. Jim's legacy is his determination, loyalty, love for his family, and unwavering pride in Milton's community. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Calling hours will be held at Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center on Friday, January 31st, from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the United Church of Milton on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Jim's memory be made to the Milton Historical Society, McLure Miller Respite House, or the Milton Family Community Center Food Shelf.