Clifford "Gene" Eugene Manuel Sr.

Born September 11, 1928 in Archer, Florida, he was the son of the late Stephen F. & Bertha L. (Videon) Manuel.  He came to Brooksville at the age of 16, served his country proudly in the United States Navy in an elite military unit of construction battalion Sailors, better known as Seabees, was a Korean War veteran, Hernando High School and University of Florida graduate, a rabid Gator fan and Bull Gator, an avid motor home traveler, and he was the oldest living member of First United Methodist Church. 

Gene was a major catalyst in the development of Brooksville and Hernando County.  He began his engineering/surveying firm, Coastal Engineering, in 1957.  He proposed the first plan to update water and sewer systems and establish building codes and zoning ordinances thereby bringing the city and county into the modern era of efficiency.  He developed the first master plan for the Brooksville Airport and his efforts helped start the Airport Industrial Park.  His water and sewage treatment plans enabled Hernando County and the city to receive over 12 million dollars in government grants.  He provided low rent housing for the poor and elderly in the many developments he had played a part in including Candlelight, Dogwood Estates, Brookridge, High Point, Hernando Beach, to name a few.  He served as a consultant to the aviation authority for 15 years, encouraged the county to enter the utilities business and had his hand in many road projects and private enterprises.   He was selected as Businessman of the Year in 1983, his firm also received the Industry Appreciation Award from the Chamber of Commerce and he was very proud to be one of the founders of Brooksville Commons.

He is preceded in death by his son, Mark Manuel.  He is survived by his wife, Ruthann Manuel; sons and daughters-in-law, Clifford E. Jr. & Laurie Manuel of Brooksville, Florida and Paul A. & Diane Manuel of Holiday, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Lynn & Tom Mountain of Brooksville, Florida; nine grandchildren, Ford Manuel, Madison Manuel, Remington Manuel, Erin Pilcher (Eric), Thomas Mountain Jr., Carly Nichols (Donnie), Spencer Manuel, Belbyn Manuel and Travis Manuel; eight great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Friday, July 12, 2019 at St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church, after which the family will host a reception and luncheon at the church hall from 12:00-2:00pm to honor Gene’s memory.  Burial will follow at Brooksville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the

Brooksville Commons at First United Methodist Church.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352)796-6699

“Family Owned & Operated”

www.merrittfuneral.com