William 'Bud' Burns Mcmanus

HOLDEN - William Burns “Bud” McManus was born on May 22, 1936 in Providence, RI to the late James O. and Jeannette B. McManus and passed away on December 6, 2017 while surrounded by his family.  Bud's older brother, James O. McManus, Jr. predeceased him in 1988.

Bud married Sharon Ralph in 1963 in Florida and together over the next 54 years they lived in Rochester, NY, Potomac, MD and eventually Holden, where they raised their children. In addition to his beloved wife, Bud leaves his daughters, Beth (Jeff) Donsbach, Marcy (Rick) Vandale; son, Mark (Kim) McManus. He was a loving and supportive “Gramps” to his 8 grandchildren, Catherine and Mary Donsbach, Nicole, Zachary, Emily and Erin Vandale, and Megan and Patrick McManus, all of Holden. Bud leaves a nephew, Jim (Sheila) McManus of North Carolina. He also leaves his many cousins throughout MA, RI, NY and CA with whom he built many wonderful memories.

Growing up in West Warwick, RI, Bud graduated from LaSalle Academy in Providence where he played football and trumpet and then from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. At Holy Cross, he was a member of NROTC where he served as battalion commander before serving in the US Navy and traveling the ports of the world. Bud went on to a successful 30 year career at IBM in sales before beginning his second career at McManus Associates Real Estate in Holden and working tirelessly alongside his wife for the next 15 years.

Bud was easily spotted with Sharon around town supporting his family and grandchildren, whether at art shows, academic award ceremonies, school concerts, dance recitals or youth sporting events.  He was always the number one fan with a front row seat.

In addition to the joy which his family and grandkids brought him, Bud’s other loves were Holy Cross and golf.  As an active Holy Cross alumni of the great class of 1958, Bud bled purple. He served as president of the General Alumni Association, chairman and secretary of his class, class agent and was a member of the President’s Council. He was a lifelong season ticket holder to football, men’s and women’s basketball games and all family events were accordingly scheduled around purple events. When not rooting on his Crusaders on Mt. St. James, Bud could be found on the links of Worcester Country Club where, for many years, he served as commissioner of Twilite League. His favorite rounds, however, were those with his family members, especially grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors and nurses at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Worcester, as well as Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, for their compassionate care, especially Michael Stecker, MD whose commitment to Bud facilitated many extra seasons of football, baseball, soccer, and basketball games of his grandchildren. In addition, the family is ever grateful to the staff at Holden Nursing Home for providing the most warmhearted care during this last week.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Bud's family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 11, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St. Jefferson, where Bud has been a faithful member and worshiper for 45 years.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bud’s name to either the Holy Cross Fund, One College Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or St. Mary’s Parish, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522. To share a memory of offer a condolence, please visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.