Holding the Grand Children as Babies

I am sure my daughter Kit can find pictures of me holding all ten of my grand children as babies. Here are a few.........


Granddaughter #2 Lila - March, 1980





















Grand Daughter #3 - Kate
December, 1981

To my #1 Daughter Nora on my 89th Birthday

Dear Nora,

You both have worked very hard to remodel your beautiful country home, plus the new cement driveway and the large porch addition.

You were 2 years old when you went with Jack and me to see the Notre Dame -Navy Football game at the Baltimore Stadium. Jack and me were happy as many friends from Washingon said 'that baby is getting a head start for Notre Dame.'

We visited Aunt Sis and Uncle Dennis on the way home to a special turkey dinner with your Mom and her Mom and Dad.

One evening I brought you and Elsie with me as I installed laundry basins at the St. Mary's convent. The Sisters said "later we can use those two little girls as Sisters of St. Joseph."

love you,

Dad

A tip top story from my #1 Son Jack

These pictures are from our trip to Miami and Cuba in 1950. We are getting on the plane in a field to fly to Cuba.






Jack is wearing his First Communion suit.

My son Jack wrote a long and complimentary essay about me for my 86th birthday. My daughter Kit insists it should be included.......


July 27, 2003

Dad has an inner peace that puts day-to-day problems in their appropriate place---secondary to the important things in life. Dad always found a way to pull off the best vacation possible within the resources he had or, more likely, somewhat beyond the resources he had. Florida in 1945; Florida and Cuba in 1951; Quebec, Canada in 1952; Ocean City; Atlantic City; New York City; Lake George; and the almost weekly trips to North Beach in the summers. All done on the salary of a plumber and a secretary. Mom would often say in some distress "We are in the hole again." Dad would reply "Everything will turn out OK. I wouldn't spend money we don't have." Mom would point out with more than a little exasperation "We already spent money we don't have. That's how we got in the hole in the first place." Dad would then get a serene smile on his face and look into the distance thinking, I believe, about the good times on the trip they had just taken. Somehow between Mom's sense of economy and Dad's sense of adventure everything worked out more than OK.

Dad drove me to work my first day as a summer apprentice for the Plumber's Union. He told me not to worry if I heard bad things about him from some of the other plumbers. I didn't realize that as the Business Manager about half the people liked him and about half the people didn't care for him at all. Not until everybody realized that I was "Johnny Mann's boy" did the negative comments stop, at least in my presence. It was far beyond my understanding why anyone would criticize my father who was so obviously a wonderful man.

While other servicemen at the end of World war II were thinking only about how many hot dates they could have in Europe before they returned to their wives and families in the States, Dad managed to be as happy as he could be as the adopted "uncle" to a German widow's children and the solver of a multitude of problems in the small Bavarian town of Schledorf.

Dad was determined to make a difference in the parish and the neighborhood. This led to many hours leading others to get things done and volunteering his services. He started the St. Mary's Mens Club; organized gala events recognizing youth sports teams that I happened to be on, renovated parish buildings and served as a block captain for the local Democratic organization.

Dad was always in the middle of things with his parents, brothers aunts, uncles, cousins and assorted other relatives. He always had a gleam in his eye, channelling on the energy that seem to exist whenever he was together with at least one other person, especially if that person was a relative. He visited his parents regularly, never seeking to show off. Rather, he always sought to see what he could do to make Noma's and Champ's life easier.

Although Dad's devotion to his Kitty and his children clearly was his number one priority, he also always managed to find time to help others in many wonderful ways. He has the right word of encouragement for everybody and, more than anyone I have ever met, he genuinely cared for all people and treated them with love and respect.

Dad has an unusual mixture of optimism and modesty that is supremely attractive. More than once the facts and reality should have held him back from some of his adventures. But, his determination and guts led him to try anyway, fighting off obstacles and eventually pulling off some miracle, such as the Plumber's pension plan, the union's vacation plan and its credit union. All this was done despite severe opposition from union rivals and without the benefit of any training in business or economics. He simply relied on the hard lessons he had learned about how to do good for others even when it was far from easy to do.

There were also moments of frustration that he had to endure. These were usually related to some mechanical problem that required a type of patience that just didn't exist in Johnny Mann. Dealing with difficult people was a piece of cake compared to making any effort to read instructions on how to put something together or to look at a map to see how to get someplace.

The blue eyes sparkle and the spirit thrives. With determination and modesty, Johnny Mann continues to do what he does best--- he keeps on doing good, even when its not easy.

Our Growing Family

Kitty and I had six children. Here is a picture of us when Kitty was pregnant with Nora on December 30, 1952. Nora was born 2 days later on January 1, 1953.

Here we are -- Christmas 1956. The children are Jack, Nora, and Elsie. Kitty is expecting our fourth child Kit.

Now our family is complete with six lively children - Jack, Nora, Elsie, Kit, Joe, and Charlie.

Easter Sunday 1945 - Hotel Negresco

This is a favorite picture in my family. It is me as a soldier during WWII enjoying R&R on the balcony, overlooking the sea at the Hotel Negresco in France. I was given a 4 day pass.

My children have posing me in the same position in later years.

My Daughter Kit's Birthday on 3-18-07

It was a most happy time to get together with my family to celebrate my #3 Daughter's birthday. Kit is recovering from emergency surgery. My Granddaughter Lila surprised us with a visit from Florida. She is in the top picture hugging my Great grandson Austen.

To Grand Dad on his 86th Birthday

My family wrote some wonderful things about me for my 86th birthday on July 27, 2003.

Melissa - #1 Grand daughter
I love his bright blue eyes that always seem to be taking everything in. I love that he has been so strong and started walking again.

John Connor - #1 Grand son
For taking his #1 grandson to the fire station and putting him in the truck.

For trips to McDonald’s and buying me my first Big mac. You told me I wouldn’t finish it and you were right.

For being there when I found out that Kate was born.

Kelly Rachel Mann #4 Granddaughter - Age 12

Everytime Granddad saw me in a play, he would tell me "You are going to Broadway". I liked that a lot.

John Edward Mann - #6 Grandson - Age 11

Granddad is nice and talkative. I am named after him. I have watched football with him. I have always liked playing with Granddad's cane.

I was very happy Granddad came to my First Communion when he was sick. It showed he cared and that he liked me a lot. I remember walking up to Granddad and giving him a big hug. I was so happy.

Nora - #1 Daughter

I remember being the only kids in the neighborhood who went to the People's drugstore soda fountain every night. We rode in the Chrysler Imperial like princesses. We got bakery donuts every Saturday morning, with a special bun for Mom.

I don't think I ever woke up without Dad being awake and ready to hear about everything going on in my life. Each morning Dad and I would go to six am Mass with a stop at the bakery for a treat. It made me feel like an only child for the morning.

By far, I had the best Dad and a wonderful childhood, not to mention adulthood. I am so glad I still get to enjoy my Dad. He has been very brave to go through all these health problems without a complaint.

Kit - #3 Daughter
Dad is optimistic. He looks on the bright side. He always has something to look forward to.

We went on great vacations all over the country - Colorado, Kansas, Florida, Atlantic City, Ocean City, New York, Roanoke.

Dad took us on MANY day trips to Ocean City, Maryland. We would stay all day riding the waves. At night, we would walk the boardwalk and go on the rides.

He writes the best letters and stories. He is a great storyteller. I loved hearing the WWII stories - how Dad utilized a quart of water every day - using the last of it to wash out his socks.

He has the best quotes “This house will be here when you are dead and gone.”

He made me feel like a princess. On Valentines Day, he would give Mom a BIG box of candy and 3 little boxes to Nora, Elsie, and me. We felt very special.

We grew up in a wonderful house. In the early 60s, Dad was able to buy a house with 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms and AIR CONDITIONING. Not many Dads were able to do that.

After dinner, Dad would take us out for Cokes so Mom could have some peace and quiet.

He wrote detailed directions for my OPM exam. He described the tunnels and circles, when to get into certain lanes.... I did not get lost.

He taught me how to ride a bicycle. The first time I tried, I fell and cried. Dad told me it was OK, and to get back on the bicycle.

To stop my tears when I was 5 years old, he told me I was going to be a pretty lady - as pretty as the lady who was walking by us. I stopped crying immediately.

He gave me great pep talks for taking my drivers test.

He consoled me when I was upset. He knew just what to say.

We went to many parades, the funeral parade for JFK - the welcome home parade for John Glenn....Dad picked me up from school for the John Glenn Parade. I felt like a movie star when I was called out of class.

Many times Dad would ask me to join him for a Coke at Peoples, where he would give me ideas on living, working, loving, and being charitable to others. Dad took care of people during his daily routine - Francis, Billy Edwards, and many others. He taught us by example, to be charitable to others.

We went to Hot Shoppes every Sunday with Grandma.

We went to the Drive-in movies in the station wagon wearing our pajamas. We brought a HUGE bag of popcorn and a jug of Kool-aid.

We ate ice cream on Sunday evenings on the grass at the University of Maryland.

When Dad got a bonus, he shared it with us. He put the money in little brown envelopes with our names printed on it.

He has never missed an opportunity to tell how much he loves us.

Joe - #2 Son
Dad sent me encouraging letters, along with cash, when I was struggling to be a dancer. Dad took me to the Kennedy Center to see Edward Villela. Afterwards, he went up to Edward Villela and introduced me to him.

Dad drove to Baltimore to pick up my favorite book - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

In 1989, Dad drove me to Baltimore to get my drivers license. Because I forgot my birth certificate, the DMV said I couldn’t get a license. Dad told the skeptical clerks that he could vouch for me - as I was his son. The lead clerk quizzed Dad. Even with 6 kids, Dad was able to give the clerk my full name and date of birth. I was able to get the license without the birth certificate. After my performance, Dad always clapped and shouted Bravo. He was very proud of me.

Charlie - #3 Son
He got me in the Electricians Union. He told me exactly what to say to the Interview board. I did just what he said and was accepted at a time when the Union had few slots.

Many Saturdays, Dad took me to the stock car races along with Jimmy McGrath and Bobby Werking. None of their fathers did that. I felt very fortunate.

He saved me from drowning many times.