Neil M. Manchester

Petersburgh – Neil M. Manchester, 84, lifelong Petersburgh, NY, resident died on Sunday, December 4, 2011, at the Albany Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Born July 10, 1927, in Hoosick Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Martin L. and Millicent Vincent Manchester. He was the loving husband of the former Lois Case, whom he married in Hoosick Falls on February 11, 1951. Neil was a member of the Petersburgh Baptist Church.
While attending high school Neil enlisted in the United States Navy serving with the Seabees from 1944 to 1946. He was awarded the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Medal. After his honorable discharge at the rank of Machinist Mate 3rd Class he fulfilled a promise to his mother by going back to high school and was a member of the first graduating class (1947) of the “new” Berlin High School. After graduating, Neil worked as a wholesale florist for Seagroatt’s Roses for 25 years. He then ran the North Petersburgh Country Store for 15 years and retired from the Troy Housing Authority. Neil was a Grand Master of the Petersburgh F & AM. He was also a member of the Taconic Valley American Legion Post #937 and a member of the  Petersburgh Volunteer Fire Department, and he served as Town Justice (1960-63 and 1974-77), as Chairman of the Board of Assessors (1958-60), as Deputy Town Supervisor (1960-61), as Town Supervisor (1978-79) and as Chairman of the Civic Council (1960-62). He was also a former Town Highway Supervisor. He was co-founder, with his cousin Roger, of the Petersburgh Veterans Honor Roll Monument dedicated in November of 2007. At the time of his death he served as Town Veteran’s Service Officer. Neil also loved to hunt and fish.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Lois, his children, Amy E. Manchester of Petersburgh, Beth E. Manchester of Pittstown, NY, and Gregory and wife Colleen Manchester of Petersburgh, his grandchildren, Darel Gregory and Corey Neil Manchester, his great-granddaughter, Allie Elizabeth Manchester, his brother, Lynn Manchester of Catskill, NY, his sister, Lynda Kroboth of Vestal, NY, along with his cousins, Jean O’Dell and Roger LeMere of Petersburgh. He is pre-deceased by two brothers, Ned and Hugh Manchester.
Funeral services will be Monday, December 12, at 11 am in the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh, with Rev. J. Mark Norlund officiating. Burial will follow in the Meadowlawn Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral home for visitation on Sunday from 2 to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Petersburgh Rescue Squad in loving memory of Neil M. Manchester.