Robert Manotti, Sr.

Bob Manotti Sr. of Mifflinburg, PA passed away on January 17th following injuries sustained during a car accident on January 14th.  Following is his self-prepared obituary.

I was Robert “Bob” Manotti, Sr. 90 years old of 141 Market Street, Mifflinburg, PA. I was born on May 28, 1926 in Windber, PA. I was the youngest of William W. Manotti and Sarah (Shake) Manotti. I was preceded in death by three older brothers and one sister. My wife of 67 years is Phebe (Grand) Manotti and is still living. As most of my friends (that are still living) know, I am survived by four wonderful sons and daughters-in-laws, also grandchildren, nephews, nieces and great grandchildren. My oldest is Bob, Jr. and his wife Andrea “Andy” (Cooney) of Mifflinburg and their sons and daughter i.e. Clint and his wife Becky of Northumberland; Dustin and his wife Rachel of Mifflinburg and their two children Adelina and Renzo; also Jeana and Mike Nornhold of Mifflinburg; my second son Kenneth of New York and wife Suzanne (Settembrini) of Philadelphia and his two children Peter and Elizabeth and her husband Dave Santilli. Number three son Denis, wife Maryanne (Walizer) and daughters Mikah and March of Montoursville and my youngest son John and his wife Lisa of Eugene, Oregon. I would list all of my nephews and nieces but as you don’t know any of them, I won’t bother.

I quit school at age 17 and enlisted in the army in early 1944 and I was sent to Camp Hood, Texas for tank destroyer training. I wasn’t happy and volunteered for Air Borne infantry training at Fort Bragg, NC. I ended up in the Philippines preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. After returning home and working at several jobs for three years, I took two courses, P.O.D. (Problems of Democracy) and English and received my High School diploma. I decided to go to College instead of working for big coal (like my father) for the rest of my life. I attended Millersville State College in 1949 and graduated in 1952 with a degree in education and was immediately given a teaching job in Gap, PA for the huge sum of $1,800 a year. I eventually ended up in the Mifflinburg School system in 1956 starting at $3,600 a year and taught there for 37 years. I had some students swear by me and some swear at me, much like some wrestling fans. I also drove school bus for 8 years, some of those with a shotgun in case I saw a ring-neck or two on my route through Mazzeppa, Wolfland, and Beach Run Area. I taught hunters safety at the middle school for many years. I wore a white shirt and neck tie every day as teachers were required.  In retrospect of all the years of education I would choose the same path again.

In conclusion, I was involved in a number of local organizations i.e. past master of Mifflinburg Masonic Lodge 370; American Legion Post 410, Union County Conservation Board; Wounded Warriors project and the Mifflinburg Wildcat Wrestler Club. I enjoyed hunting and fishing and our family life at Penns Creek, Woodward, and Half Way Dam cabins.

Family and friends are welcome to a time of visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg, with a Masonic service starting at 8 PM.  Additional visitation 10 to 11 AM, Saturday, at the funeral home, where the funeral will be connected at 11 AM.

Private burial will be in the Mifflinburg cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those interested in making a contribution please consider a donation to either of the following:

MACST - Mifflinburg Area Community Scholarship Trust - Robert L. Manotti Sr. Wrestling Scholarship

Ann Beckley

1900 Dietrick Rd.

Mifflinburg, PA 17844

Or

Union County Sportsman Club, Inc.

50 Sportsmen’s Club Lane

Millmont, PA 17845-9300

C/O Fish Fund