Obituary: John Manchester

John Manchester, 58
John Manchester died peacefully at home in Hull on Aug. 10, in the company of his longtime companion, Hilary, after a short battle with cancer. He was 58.
John was born in Boston on April 23, 1963. He later became part of the family of the late Rachel and Roger Manchester, who eventually adopted him. When John was 5, the Manchester family moved to Hull, where John would mostly reside for the rest of his life. He was able to reconnect with his birth siblings as an adult, and he felt truly fortunate to have two families who loved him. 
John attended Hull public schools and graduated from the Norfolk County Agricultural High School. He joined the Navy Seabees after high school and served in the construction battalion reserves for nine years, traveling to Jamaica and Cuba, and made several lifelong friends. His main occupational interest thereafter was in the construction trade, as well as in following in the footsteps of his father, Roger, and becoming a carpenter. 
John’s truest passion was more recently in woodworking, and he shared beautiful creations with family, friends, and customers. He also made and donated the sign that whimsically sits above the A Street Pier. 
John was best known around Hull as a local businessman, but also by people he grew up with and for being a member of the A St. Gang, from back in the 1970s. He also made friends with fellow surfers, sharing with them one of his biggest passions growing up. He had a witty sense of humor and loved telling stories with a spin that would always leave people laughing. 
John is survived by his two sons, John Manchester Jr., of Hull, and Michael Manchester, of Weymouth. In addition, he leaves his sisters, Patricia Manchester, Elaine Pendleton, Debra Mulrooney, and Regina O’Riley, as well as brothers James and Richard McGowan. He was predeceased by his brother Herbie and sister Virginia McGowan. He will also be lovingly remembered by his many nieces and nephews, friends, and customers and will be deeply missed by the family he became part of with Hilary, including her children, Hannah, Kelsey, and Seth, and the grandchildren he adored, Azalea and Wilder. 
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in his name would be welcome to any local Hull charity.