My condolences go out to Mrs. Manning and Keith.  While in the mid 80's to early 90's I was mainly friends with Keith - Brendan was always around as our rag-tag neighborhood football, basketball, skate boarding gang's little brother.  We always let him join us and how could you say no - he was always was kind hearted.  Peace to Brendan.

I will always remember Brendan as a funny guy with a big smile.  He was so kind hearted and always made sure to check on how you were doing.   I’m thankful I called him a friend during our years at Gibbons.  RIP friend.  

Allison McElroy ( Wertz)

Brendan was a year ahead of me in law school and we stayed in touch for a few years following graduation.  Every interaction, every conversation, every joke was authentic and genuine.  His earnestness was unique to him, unlike anyone else I’ve encountered.  He was, simply, a really good dude.  May his light live on.

On Carolina soccer fields, where we spent four gritty years, Brendan's nature revealed itself in small but telling ways. We lost more than we won, yet he persisted, so we did so too. The precision of his touch – making order from chaos, no matter how errant my passes – spoke to something more profound than mere athletic skill. His powerful clearances and shots weren’t just force, but conviction manifested.

Specific conversations have long ago faded, but their weight remains. In his Geo Storm – that humble chariot that represented to me, then, an unfathomable realm of freedom and nascent adulthood – we would cruise here or there, with the Beastie Boys straining the speakers, discussing injustices both local and distant, personal and systemic. The gray hairs referenced in “Sure Shot” seemed an abstraction then. Now, in a blink, they’re not.

He carried a rare clarity even then. While most of us were still trying on different versions of ourselves, he moved through the world with earned certainty. But this was not the brittle certainty of youth but something more considered – a foundation built on examined and reexamined principles rather than merely inherited beliefs.

In retrospect, he wasn’t just a teammate or friend but an early encounter with authenticity. He demonstrated how to hold gentleness and strength not as contradictions but as necessary complements. This wasn’t wisdom I could appreciate when the future seemed infinite and distant. But time has a way of bringing such truths into focus.

Like ripples in still water, the echoes of a life well-lived expand outward in widening circles. In quiet moments of moral clarity, in small acts of unexpected kindness, in the courage to stand firm – there he is, still teaching, still showing the way. 

Some people don’t simply pass through our lives; they become a part of how we see the world.

To Brendan's family and his many orbiting circles of friends, I offer my deepest condolences.

My heart goes out to Brendan’s friends and family.  I saw just an inkling of the man he was, the humble intelligence he shared with others freely, and how much of a positive influence he was on the people around him.  I can only imagine how much joy and care he brought to those who knew him better and how much he will be missed. Wishing all my condolences.

Brendan was a ray of light in my day everytime I saw him. He always pushed me to follow my dreams and gave the best advice. 

 He will be missed dearly, my condolences to his friends and family.

I am so sorry to hear of this news. Brendan was my classmate first year of law school and I was lucky enough to join his study group. I enjoyed his insights, intellect, sports conversation, and most of all his unwavering support. I am terribly sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.

Brendan was a truly genuine friend and he had a compassionate soul that had an effect on everyone around him. I attended Cardinal Gibbons High School with him for four years and played soccer with him for four years as well. We were both fans of the 49ers and the sport of soccer. 

Brendan, Sean Cunningham, and I took a roadtrip down to Orlando with my family one year to watch a World Cup game live and caught the Ireland team practice. We also got to watch the U.S. team play Ukraine at NCSU, chatted briefly with Alexi Lalas and Cobi Jones, and we were lucky enough to get autographs from the team. It was an amazing experience and something I will never ever forget. 

He had an infectious smile and made high school life just a little bit easier simply by being who he was. I am very thankful to have called him my friend and teammate. He may have left this earthly plane, but his memory will live on in us and the stories we tell. The picture was taken during our senior year awards ceremony. Left to right: Coach Don Sandberg and players Telfair Martin, Sean Cunningham, Greg Galloway, Ted Cherico, myself Bob Swanson, Zack Kamykowski, and of course Brendan Manning.

I was one of his professors in law school and I enjoyed every interaction with him. He was always affable, warm, and genuine. A kind soul. My condolences to his family and friends.

Brendan was one of my favorite people to have a conversation with. He never failed to give me some great advice on life. He was kind and smart and I always looked forward to seeing him. He will be missed. My condolences go out to his family who he spoke about often.

OBITUARY

Brendan Patrick Manning

April 25, 1977 – October 6, 2024

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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