Jeremiah (John) Manesis, 85 years old, of Leesburg, Florida, went to be with his Lord on May 25th, 2023, at Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, Florida. He was born in Boston, and raised in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain Massachusetts to his parents John and Agnes Manesis. Jerry served 4 years in the United States Air Force and was an electrical engineer who started his career as a technician while in the USAF. Jerry married his wife Jeanette Manesis, also from Dorchester, MA in 1958. Together they raised their children, Cheryl, and Steven. Over the years he designed, built, and supported electronic equipment for LFE, GTE Sylvania, acquiring his BS degree in Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University at night, while working full time at Raytheon Corp. He ended his career as a software engineer at SRA of Virginia providing software services for companies preparing their internal software for the transition into the twenty-first century; He then permanently moved to Leesburg, Florida in 2002. His wife Jeanette passed away in July of 2013. He later married Elaine “Jane” Bunnell on November 16, 2019.
Jerry had a very personal relationship with The Lord throughout his adult life, and a passion for the mentally ill community. This led him to start a Crisis intervention program for the Leesburg Police Department. He also taught seminars for grieving spouses at the TALK, Pennbrooke Fairways Community, Leesburg, Fl, where he resided with his wife Jane.
Jerry lived his life to the fullest. He was determined to always stay active. He enjoyed playing softball in Framingham, Ma with his neighbors for 25 years. He volunteered for the Youth Hockey Program. He enjoyed skiing and zip lining well into his late 70’s with his family, grandchildren & close friends. Jerry’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren referred to him as “Grumpy”. Jerry treasured his time with them, at the Lake in New Hampshire, golf excursions in Florida, and Christmas in New England.
Jerry loved living in Florida where he was able to enjoy his outdoor activities all year, daily walks, golfing, and gardening. He was an exceptional dancer. Jerry was an avid traveler his whole life, most recently on road trips with Jane to Darlington, WI, discovering new places in what he called “this beautiful country.” He also made many trips abroad.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Jeanette.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Elaine “Jane” Bunnell Manesis at home in Leesburg, Florida, originally from Wisconsin. He is further survived by his daughter Cheryl (William) Joseph, son Steven Manesis, brother Michael (Faith) Manesis, sister Mary (Michael) Manesis/McCormick, grandchildren; Monica (Carlos) Brum, Ashley (Mike) Follen, 3 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as Jane’s 4 daughters and their families, Laurie (Jeff) Monson, LuAnn (Steve) Smith, Gina (Joe) Reichling, and Felecia (Kyle) Meylor, all of Wisconsin.
A funeral service will be held at Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory in Leesburg on Thursday 6/1/2023 at 11am followed by a military committal at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL at 1pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages Casa Bella House, 601 Mariposa Way, The Villages Florida, 32162.
