Ova Douglas Manning

Douglas Manning, Longtime Westfield Resident, Successful Sales Executive; Family Man

Several days after surviving a heart attack, Douglas Manning contracted COVID-19 and valiantly battled the virus before passing away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2020 in the compassionate care of Center For Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Douglas was born in rural Maysville, KY on November 22, 1935 in his grandparent’s house, raised in the greater Cincinnati, OH area and resided in Westfield, NJ for the past 41 years.

He was one of two children born to the late Pauline Belle Manning and Ova Lee Manning and was the beloved Husband to the late Joan Lorraine Manning for over 46 years. Douglas will forever be remembered by his devoted sister, Janette Allen Moore; beloved sons, Todd and Scott; loving daughters-in-law, Caroline and Lynny, and treasured grandchildren, Douglas, Kimberly, Michael and Tyler.

Douglas started working at the tender age of 8 (selling and personally providing authentic Simoniz car wax detailing services to wealthy Newport, KY citizens) and he never looked back work wise until his final role as CEO/GM of Merck KGaA’s Sunscreen Additives and Pearlescent Pigments Division in 2000. Except for a three-year stint in the Army, while stationed in Germany as a certified sharpshooter (rifle) right after college, all he knew was financially supporting himself and others for 54 years. During his 20-year retirement, Douglas was passionate about caring for his cancer-stricken wife, mentoring his kids and grandchildren and spending countless hours landscaping his park like yard, complete with decorative trees, flowers and multiple colorful mulch beds. He was a true fighter, always full of optimism and self-confidence regardless of the odds. It’s fitting he entered this World during the Great Depression and exited during the current uncertainty and economic unrest of the coronavirus pandemic at age 84.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no traditional funeral ceremony. However, arrangements for a graveside burial at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield for immediate family weremade by the Krowicki Gorny Memorial Home, Clark, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the Center For Hope Hospice, a non-profit organization located at 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. (Donations can be made on-line at http://www.cfhh.org/donate.html)

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