'Kenny Mack' Robert K. McManus, Jr.

Formerly of Jersey City, NJ, New York, NY and Charlotte NC, Kenny is survived by his Mother, Sue Ross McManus Howell, deceased Father, Robert Kenneth McManus Sr., and deceased Step-father, Nathaniel A. Howell. He is also survived by his Sister, Cameron Sue McManus Benecki (husband, James), nephew, Jake Benecki (wife, Joy) niece, Mary Cameron Weaver (husband, Kaylen, children, Maverick and Malia) nephew, Luke Benecki and nephew, Noah Benecki. He is also survived by his step-sisters, Janet Mayday (Dan) Donna Howell Hall, children (Rachel and Julie (Bo and her children Makayla and Payton) and Diane Chalk (Brian) and his beloved Chihuahua, Cocoa.

There were two special relationships in Kenny’s life.

One is his lifelong friend, Allison Stanley who he has been best friends with since 1982. Kenny said Allison was his go to in any crisis and always the first to call on a holiday or celebration. The second is his life partner, Nelson Benevides. Kenny met Nelson in New York City while riding the 2/3 Train from Penn Station to 96th street. Nelson, an architect, was on his way home from work and Kenny was on his way home from a vacation from Fire Island. They spent the next 25 years together living in Upper West Side and in 2004 Nelson designed a Historic Townhouse in Jersey City, NJ where they called home for 18 years. They were joined together in a Civil Union in Jersey City witness by Maureen Looney and the late Terry McHugh on September 7, 2012 before marriage was legalized at the federal level on June 26, 2015. Together they spent many summer weekends with their very close friends Fred Cantor and Ralph Randazzo on Fire Island enjoying life and companionship.

His love for his only sibling, Cameron was evident most of his years growing up together, laughing, playing and singing together. Kenny and Cameron spent many years together sharing his passion for Choir and youth fellowship and youth trips to Montreat Conference Center in the NC Mountains, and a cross-country youth choir tour across America. He got the Show Biz bug being a model and doing commercials with his sister and sometimes with the whole family.

Kenny went to Providence Day and East Meck High School and Graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication. Kenny spent many years perfecting his love of singing and performing. He studied under the renowned Charlotte voice teacher, Fran Shafter and performed in local theater. He was accepted to the vocal performance program at UNC and was in the Carolina Choir. His passions in life included singing at churches in choirs, as soloist in weddings and funerals. He even said that if he had a choice he would sing at his own funeral. It was his theatrical and vocal skills, coupled with his exuberant personality that eased him into the Home Accessory Design Industry, where he went on to start his own company called Kenny Mack Design and ended his career with Mesa Muse by Kenny Mack.

To say that Kenny was obsessed with pageantry would be a gross understatement. Kenny’s excitement surrounding the Miss America Organization first began in college when he was one of the singer/dancers in the Miss North Carolina Pageant. After moving to New York City, Kenny soon found himself as the VP/Producer for the Miss Manhattan pageant, later becoming the Executive Director for the Miss New York Organization from 2006-2014. His talents as a natural born speaker and fundraiser helped take the organization to new heights, both in contestant numbers and scholarships awarded. His passionate dedication was effusive and infectious and earned him well-deserved respect from volunteers in the Miss New York Organization and beyond. His contagious energy lit up every room he walked into making him an ideal and sought after judge for Miss America state pageants across the country. He loved the organization, but it was the deep friendships he made through his work that were most important to him. His impressive legacy will live forever in the hearts and success stories of the many volunteers and titleholders who he mentored.

He was a long-time member of Sardis Presbyterian Church from baptism to the time he joined Marble Collegiate Church in New York City where he was part of their Volunteer Choir, LGBT Group and an active member of the church.

Kenny never met a stranger. He could talk to anyone. He always had a smile on his face and an infectious laugh that would resound in any room he was in. He had a natural presence and a real Zeal for life. His network of friends covered the globe and those he met when he was young are still his friends today.

Sue wants the world to know how much she loved her son. And she knows how much he loved her. Kenny was more than just a son to Sue: He was her rock. Her confidant. Her joy. Before he moved to New York City, he said to his mother, “There is no way the God I know, and love will condemn me to hell because I am what God made me, gay.”

And Kenny had way too many aunts and uncle on his mother’s side because she had 24 brothers and sisters from two marriages. And only Kenny could keep track of each aunt, uncle, cousin and their children. He loved them all. But most of all, that love started with the love he had for his deceased grandparents. Rosalind and Sandy Ross, and Ramona McManus - where only Kenny was allowed to decorate GranMona house for Christmas.

Kenny’s cousin Dan Locklair will be performing The Peace May Be Exchanged (from Rubrics) by Dan Locklair at the services.

Viewing to be held in the parlor at Sardis Presbyterian Church at 1:00 pm on Tuesday May 28, 2024. 6100 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270.

Services to be held in the Sanctuary at Sardis Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm on Tuesday May 28, 2024. Reception to follow in the Education Hall. 6100 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270.

Burial to be held at Sharon Memorial Park at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024.

5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212

In lieu of flowers donations in Kenny’s memory can be made at one of the following organizations:

Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270

https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90029

Miss New York Scholarship & Leadership Fund IN memory of Kenny Mack

https://give.choiceforall.org/campaign/589193/donate

Marble Collegiate Church, 1 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

https://onrealm.org/marblechurch/-/form/give/now

Any LBGTIQA + Organization or your choice.