Senator George Alvin McManus Jr.

George passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024 with his family by his side. Born on the hired man’s kitchen table at the Murray Farm of Old Mission Peninsula, George was the first of 7 children of George A. McManus Sr. and Frieda Anna Fromholz, early pioneer families in the Grand Traverse area. George was married to Clara Belle Kratochvil for 70 years, from August 16, 1949 until her death in 2020. Clara and George raised 9 children, were blessed with 23 grandchildren, 48 (and counting) great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Primary education included Kindergarten through 7 with Mrs. Leora Pitcher at the Maple Grove Country School, and grades 8-12 at St. Francis School in Traverse City, graduating salutatorian June 1948. George attended Michigan State College on a Senatorial Scholarship, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952 and a Master of Science in 1953, totaling 3.5 years of college study. Later in life George was awarded two Honorary degrees, one from Grand Valley State and one from Michigan State University. Summers were spent working at the home farm on Old Mission Peninsula and selling cherries/produce at the Detroit Eastern Farmers’ Market with his father and brothers, and later, Clara. George worked for Michigan State University Extension Service, first as District Marketing Agent, then District Horticultural Agent, and finally County Extension Director, retiring after 26 years. He could be heard on the WTCM radio program called, “The Farm and Orchard Show” with Merlin Dumbrel, where regional residents could tune in for agricultural/horticultural news and advice. Involvement on a non-partisan basis in the city, county, state, and federal governments started early. His active memberships were Farm Bureau, Elks Club, Honorary Order of Hibernians, and Rotary Club where he served as President and Chairman of Rotary Club Charities. His humorous side could be seen when performing as the “Washer Woman “ and as one of “ The Flying Walnettos” at the annual Rotary Club Minstrel show. George was appointed by Governor Blanchard to the Michigan Agricultural Commission, served on the Board of Directors at Cherry Growers Inc., served as a trustee for Michigan National Bank Traverse City branch, Farmers Mutual Insurance Board, and elected to the Northwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees 1970-1990. George was awarded TC Chamber of Commerce “Distinguished Service Man of the Year” in 1983. Elected in 1990, George served as Michigan State Senator representing the 37th District from 1990-1994 and the 36th District from 1994-2002. His wife Clara was instrumental in convincing him to run for the State Senate seat telling him, “George, they need you down there.” George was known for his wit and wisdom and ability to get things done using his common-sense approach. Accomplishments during his terms include authoring the bill that transferred the Traverse City State Hospital property to two separate entities: The City of Traverse City and Garfield Township. He initiated and worked on and Project GREEN, legislation that protects groundwater from hazardous waste. The two major aspects of this legislation were to plug the thousands of abandoned water wells across the state and properly dispose of unused pesticides and household chemicals. George voted in the “Good Samaritan Act”, served on the Senate Higher Education Committee, and the Agriculture and State Budget Committees. While serving as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Senator McManus secured 8.2 million dollars for the Northwestern Michigan College campus on West Bay, funds matched by the local community. This building now houses the Water Research Institute, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, the Culinary Institute, and the Hagerty Conference Center. Clara and George were parishioners initially at St. Joseph Church in Mapleton and lifelong parishioners at St. Francis Church in Traverse City. They could typically be seen with their brood sitting in the front pew at the Sunday 12:00 mass. George often led the congregation when learning new songs as the church transitioned from Latin to English. Starting in 1969 the McManus Family hosted, via the University of Minnesota, foreign agricultural exchange students from countries around the world. This introduced to their family knowledge and awareness of foreign language and cultures globally. Prior to mechanical harvesting, cherries were picked by hand by crews of Hispanic migrants led by Jose Espinosa. A healthy social life and education were highly valued by George and Clara; they made sure homework was completed before play and that all 9 children attended college. Many Homecoming floats were decorated in the old barn which once stood on the hill behind the house. Holiday celebrations and dance parties were hosted at “ The Farm,” and at times were so lively that George had to reinforce the living room floor with support poles. George was an avid euchre player, an annual deer hunter at Cedar Camp, near Escanaba, MI for nearly 50 years, a self-taught organist, and humorist. His epic storytelling revealed his steel trap memory and his ability to mimic the appropriate foreign accent of the party involved. He was a published author of the book titled, “The Boy from Archie”, a combination of family lore, local history, agriculture, education, and a few life lessons. Predeceasing George was his wife Clara, daughter Rosemary, grandson Matthew McManus, son in law Aminmohamed Nurmohamed, sister Antoinette Lints, brothers Frank and Pat McManus, brothers in law Ron Lints, Roger Thompson, Dick and Charlie Kratochvil, Bob Milner, Ab Wilson, and sisters in law Eileen Milner, Jean Kratochvil, and Naomi Benton. George is survived by brothers Art (Judy) McManus, Mike (Janet) McManus, sister Frieda Thompson, sisters in law Leona and Gloria McManus, Luella Wilson, Janet Chouinard, and brother-in-law Jerry Benton. His surviving children are Lisa ( Stuart) Saints, Molly (Nick) Agostinelli, Peggy (Rick) Egelus, Kate ((Mike) McDonald, Kerry (Jamie) Canellos, George (Laurie) McManus, John (Michelle) McManus, Bridget (Ron) Popp, and Matthew McManus. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren, nearly 50 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 4 to 7 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church. The Rosary will be prayed at 7 pm followed by a time for sharing. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11 am, with visitation beginning one hour prior also at the church. A luncheon will follow. The family wishes to thank Bay Ridge Assisted Living staff and especially Kate and Mike McDonald in caring for our dad. In lieu of flowers please donate to the George and Clara McManus Scholarship at Northwestern Michigan College, the George and Clara McManus Scholarship Fund at Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, or St. Francis Church.

Senator George Alvin McManus Jr.

December 12, 1930 - June 21, 2024