Paul Manley, age 72, of Locust, formerly of Fair Haven, died Sept. 27, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Walter Reed Medical Center.
He was the beloved husband of Linn (Ahlers) Manley; loving father of Nina Dow (Alex), Elaine Miner (Craig), Lisa Manley Hy (Khe), and Kyle Manley (Elizabeth) and proud “Pop-Pop” to seven grandchildren.
Paul was a graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Class of 1969, Air Force Academy Class of 1973, and The National War College Class of 1999. Paul served his country proudly for 30 years in his career with the Air Force, reaching the rank of colonel. He was a veteran of Grenada, Operation Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom as a pilot flying a C-141. He also served as the Squadron Commander at McGuire Air Force Base.
He parlayed his time at the National War College into a career at the Pentagon working under the Air Force Chief of Staff running the strategy for Future Combat Systems. In his retirement from the Air Force, Paul continued working as a pilot, flight instructor, and at various defense contracting companies.
Paul had a daily GTL ritual – Gym, (reading the) Times, and (questioning) Linn (on the whereabouts of his misplaced items). Paul loved annual family vacations to Block Island where he loved biking around the island, watching sunsets and his annual ritual of rereading “The Great Gatsby.”
Paul truly belonged anywhere – on vacation, at the dinner table, on the Sea Bright Beach Club boardwalk, or wherever his grandchildren were. He loved immersing himself without reservation in local food, drink and conversations. He was a captivating storyteller, a master of sarcasm, and a reliable problem solver. In a crisis, he was the first person you would want fighting on your side. His witty one-liners and stories were memorable for decades, often becoming gospel at subsequent family gatherings.
Well-read, well-traveled, well-spoken, well-lived, Paul soared in the air and thrived on land. He will be dearly missed, not easily forgotten, and celebrated for the lasting legacies he leaves behind.
A memorial service will be held at noon Oct. 8 at St. George’s-by-the-River in Rumson with a reception to follow at Sea Bright Beach Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to donate.fisherhouse.org.
This article originally appeared in the October 5 – 11, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
