It is with deep sadness that we report that we lost our dear loving Father James Leonard Manniso on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 86 years of age.  As a family, we loved him with all of our hearts.

Our pathways of life have lost such a loving, smart, brilliantly inventive, curious and artistically creative, father and man.  He was kind, patient, powerful and a gentle man of faith and a Husband, Father, Friend, Uncle, Grand Father and Great Grand Father.

He had a gentle calmness, a positive and charming personality all delivered with a wit and a powerful presence.  Pop was warm, kind, and empathetic. He was always present, approachable, loving.  He was an encouraging and a masterful teacher and superior Father.  He provided us with unending love, positive support and a “never give up attitude”.

Dad had a nearly unmatched ability to solve problems and make peace with everyone.  He exposed us to all things of nature, science and faith.  He taught us a scientific approach to understand the world around us.  But he was also a man of deep abiding faith in God with an uncanny wonder of the magnificence and majesty of the universe.

If you met him, you knew of his instant kindness, and how he so much wanted to encourage the best in us and everyone.

Dad believed that each day was a God given gift all to be thankful for and celebrated.  And he taught us that it was our responsibility to use our talents and abilities to make this world a little bit kinder, gentler and better.

Dad was a Golden Glove Boxer, a US Navy Veteran…a radarman that helped guide ships and then enjoined with our loving Mother Joan Manniso to grow and helm a loving family.

He was a Philadelphia Fireman, going to school at nights with a young family, he became an engineer and inventor at DuPont, and then WL Gore where he and his teams were awarded numerous patents including one chosen by the US Patent Office to celebrate 200 years of US Innovation.   He loved working and leading teams to invent, problem solve and develop solutions. After retiring from Gore, Dad was an inventive and passionate Entrepreneur who loved business and working with joy and passion until he was 85.  To Dad, life was an inventors’ workshop to tinker and innovate, to bring problem solving products to life, but more to bring joy and fun, and kindness and encourage the best from everyone.  He and his teams had over 19 US and Global Patents.

With humility, we think his greatest gift was how he shared his patient, caring ways and loved each of us.  Dad believed in using the time and talents God gave him to make this world a better place.

Dad leaves behind our Mother, Joan Manniso and sons; James John Manniso, Mark Leonard and Karen Manniso (wife), Stephen Charles Manniso and Krisi Jacobson (wife) and Christopher Manniso.  Grandchildren: Stephanie Manniso, Nicholas John Robert Manniso (deceased), Meghan Manniso Rose and Devin Rose (husband), Matthew “Matteo” Manniso, Brianna Manniso Dehm and John Dehm (husband), Julianna Manniso and William Stroud (husband), Teresa and Justin Giacotto (husband), Emma Manniso and Bruce Mulrine and Isabella Manniso and Audrey Rose Melli. His great grandchildren; Savannah and Logan Coates, Cooper Manniso Rose, Hunter Manniso Rose and Julien Giacotto. His Nieces and Nephews, Roseann Melli, John and Margaret Melli (wife) and their family.  His sister Catherine “Cass” McKenna and Jim McKenna Sr., Linda and John Bullock, Terri and Jim Burns, and Jim McKenna Jr. and Judy.

And many dear and close friends.

We are especially thankful to his home health aides, Sabaina and Sheila, and the care of Doctor Gary Beste and excellent staff and the fantastic nurses and doctors’ teams at Christiana Hospital.

Please join us at Holy Angels Church, Possum Park Road, Newark, Delaware on Friday, September 16^th, visitation begins at 9:30 am, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 am.

Dad believed you should give flowers to people when they are alive…so we would ask instead of flowers that you donate to Holy Angels (www.stjohn-holyangels.com), or Water Is Life Kenya (www.waterislifekenya.com) or your favorite charity.

Our Father James Leonard Manniso – Born November 15, 1935

Died, September 3, 2022

86 years, 8 Months and Three Days

He will always be with us in our hearts and memories forever