Lawrence E. Mannion

Larry Mannion passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 1, predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Emily Mannion, & his brother Richard Mannion. He is survived by his children Mary Rowe (Billy), Lawrence Fellows-Mannion (Ariadne), John Mannion (Zara), & Margaret Smart; by grandchildren Davin, Elizabeth, Jarrett, Logan, Rowan, & great-granddaughter Willow; by his sisters Patricia Mannion & Eleanor McKenna, & sisters-in-law Linda Crawford (James) & Sally Lovett.

Larry was well loved, & raised everyone’s spirits with his good humor, kindness, & great conversation. After serving in the 3186 Signal Service Battalion during World War II, he completed degrees in mining engineering & geology at Lehigh University, U. Michigan, & Stanford. This started him on a long career as a geologist, which he truly loved. He traveled the country extensively, & knew where to find decent lodging no matter what part of the middle of nowhere you were in. Road trips with him required stops at every outcrop and road cut, rock hammer in hand.

He met Emily in San Francisco, and they settled down in the Berkeley hills, where Larry named and carved the sign for the path his kids walked to school on: “Ye Olde School Trail” (now on Google maps). Larry was a devoted husband and father, a stone-carver, a story-writer, & a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, where he wielded a sword with great skill. He wanted it known that he did not play golf. His steadfast faith in God gave him comfort, strength, & great compassion.

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 16th at 10:30 am at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street in Berkeley.