McManus, Msgr. Robert T.

REVEREND MONSIGNOR ROBERT T. McMANUS

1926 – 2016

Reverend Monsignor Robert T. McManus, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Joseph Parish, Downingtown, died on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.

Monsignor McManus was born on August 16, 1926, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Leo P. McManus and the late Pauline R. Staley. Monsignor McManus attended Saint Philomena Parochial School, Lansdowne; Saint Andrew Parochial School, Drexel Hill; and West Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor McManus was ordained on May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O’Hara, C.S.C. and named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on December 18, 1985. Monsignor McManus served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Canicus Parish, Mahanoy City; Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Southampton; Saint Mary Parish, Saint Clair; Saint Helena Parish, Center Square; Saint Mary Magdalen DePazzi Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Monica Parish, Philadelphia. Monsignor McManus served as Chaplain in the United States Air Force from 1959 through 1986. Monsignor McManus served as Pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Secane, from 1987 through 1991. In September 1991, he was appointed Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Downingtown, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 2001.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Joseph Church, Downingtown, on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at 6:00 PM, followed by a viewing. A parish Mass will be held at 7:00 PM. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor McManus at Saint Joseph Church, on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor Gerald McManus, Reverend Monsignor James Mortimer, Reverend Monsignor William O’Donnell, Reverend Thomas Furey, and Reverend Walter Benn. Monsignor Gerald McManus, who is Monsignor Robert McManus’ nephew, will be the homilist.

Monsignor McManus is survived by his sisters-in-law, Rita McManus and Denise McManus, and brother-in-law, Jack Reynolds, as well as many nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.