John Joseph Andrew Manidis of Elverson

John Joseph Andrew Manidis, 80, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 30th 2017 at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia surrounded by his children.

Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1937 he graduated from St. Thomas More High School in 1955. He then entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and eventually chose the life of a monastic, living at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA. After this intense period of religious devotion, his life took a dramatic and wonderful turn. He left the Abbey and returned to Philadelphia. He soon took a job at the University of Pennsylvania where he met his future wife Theresa Bacus. Together they had seven children. He was a devoted husband and an engaged father but also found time to complete a degree in Special Education at Villanova University. Though he took hospitality very seriously, welcoming visitors from all walks of life, above all he loved his church and his family.

He was preceded in death by his younger sister Judy and by his wife of 52 years Theresa. She passed just 19 days before him. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by all: his seven children John, Sarah (Christopher), Regina, Anne (Glenn), Susan (Paul), Thomas (Renee) and David (Gina); his 25 grandchildren Johnny, Grace, Nick, Sophia, Mary, Christopher, Katherine, Chiara, Margaret, Sean, Thomas, Elizabeth, Andrew, Joseph, Theresa, Alexander, Gregory, Martin, Zelie, Jacob, Abigail, Thomas More, Adriana, Isabella and Quinn; his aunt Sheila and his brothers and sisters Kathleen, Christina, Mary, Andrew, Elizabeth, Joseph and Paul and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022 (877) 284-3807.

A Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Amelia and Landis Streets, Mont Clare, PA, on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:30 am.

Burial will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Mont Clare, PA.

Visitation will be held in the Devlin Rosmos Kepp & Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA, on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Prayer Service will be held at 5:30 pm.

Condolences may be given at www.GatchaFuneral.com.