Michael Francis Manna

Michael Francis Manna, a semi-professional ice hockey player whose athletic prowess and superior performance created a positive impact on players and motivated young athletes to envision their full potential and achieve their dreams, died Friday in his Lincroft, N.J. home, where he was surrounded by his family. He was 56.

Manna was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer on Christmas Eve, and after a four-month battle, succumbed to to the disease on Good Friday — something family members said was symbolic and a testament to his religious faith.

Manna relocated to New Jersey only a few months ago, at the same time he was diagnosed. However, family members said he never shared his pain or suffering with anyone.

EARLY YEARS

Born and raised in Dongan Hills, Manna was the youngest child of Michael Louis Manna and the late Dolores Marie Manna.

His innate love of ice hockey would eventually manifest itself through his professional knowledge, exemplary character and ultimately, his illustrious career. A skilled skater, during the 1980s and 1990s Manna was trained by Olympic and World Coach Peter Burrows, a leader in the world of sports who trained figure skaters worldwide and whose pupils included Dorothy Hamill.

Manna is a graduate of North Country, a college located in the Adirondack Olympic Region of Lake Placid, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in sports administration and where he was the second leading scorer of his team. He also was voted the first team forward by the National Junior Athletic Association Region III

He also attended the Minnesota Hockey School All American Camp and in 1988 was an International Competitor in the Good Will Tour of European countries, a journey that would see him travel extensively as a member of the elite team.

MORE ON MANNA’S SPORTS CAREER

Manna was instrumental in the construction and creation of all ice skating programs at the Staten Island Skating Pavilion and was recruited to become hockey director, general manager and coach when it opened in Charleston in 1995, with the Peter Burrows.

He also was involved in a number of ice hockey programs throughout Staten Island and at St. Peter’s Eagles Hockey Club at St. Peter’s Boys High School, where his son, Evan Manna, is a senior member and captain of the Varsity team.

“My father inspired me on and off the ice to be the best person and player that I could be,” said Evan.

Prior to becoming general manager, Manna was manager of public relations/media relations for the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

In 1994, he. celebrated with the Ranger when they won the Stanley Cup.

A FAMILY MAN

After meeting through their passion for exercise and physical fitness, Manna married the former Michele Blake in 1996.

After a time he became an independent sales executive representing various large name brands. In later years he worked as a sales executive at Cranbury (N.J.) Buick GMC.

“A true family man and loving husband, he also was a devoted servant to Christ,” said his brother, Carmine Manna.

“He always led by example, and always put those he loved before himself,” said Manna’s daughter, Olivia Manna. “He was a kind, compassionate, loving, warm human being with an incredible sense of humor,” said Manna’s wife, Michele. “He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those who knew him.”

SURVIVORS

Manna is survived by his wife, Michele, of 26 years, and three children, Olivia, Sophia and Evan; his dad, Michael Louis Manna, a brother, Carmine (Anne) and a sister Andrea Haddad (Michael) an uncle and a number of aunts, nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners.

Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

A Mass is at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Ann’s R.C. Church, Dongan Hills. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caseyfuneralhome.com for the Manna family.