Gary Manson
New London — Gary Stephen Manson, husband of the late Frances Manuel Manson, of New London, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones Monday evening, March 18, 2024, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. A life-long resident of New London, Mr. Manson and his wife made their home at 38 Fifth Ave., New London, the family home his father built. Mr. Manson was 84 years of age.
Gary descends from one of the oldest Black and Native American families in this part of southern New England. Proud of his family heritage, he was the great-grandson of Henry W. Wilson, who escaped slavery in Charleston, S.C., aboard a clipper ship bound for Mystic. Young Henry eventually married an Eastern Pequot Indian, Mary Murillo Sebastian Wilson.
The son of Stephen F. Jr. and Eleanor Wilson Manson, Gary was born Aug. 1, 1939. He attended local schools in New London until he contracted tuberculosis as a high school student. “TB” was without an effective vaccine in those days and as such, Gary was directed to enter Waterford’s Seaside Sanatorium, where he remained until he was cured. In fact, he graduated from high school at Seaside. “I wasn’t bitter. No, I was proud of my years at Seaside,” Gary revealed. “Of course, no one wanted to be there, but I made lasting friends, and since I was there, I was glad I was able to provide some test results that directly or indirectly contributed to the vaccines we have for TB today.”
Gary was a highly effective compositor (arranger of type and photos before print pages were created by computer) for 40 years at The Day Publishing Company here in New London. He was a member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) union. Held in high regard as a track and field star at New London High School prior to departing to Seaside, Gary preserved his athletic abilities through weightlifting, kayaking, cycling and rollerblading. Beyond this, Gary loved jazz and because he did, he mentored several family members as they pursued their musical talents. The
Civil War, visits to Gettysburg, target shooting at the Groton Sportsman’s Club and, ultimately, membership in the National Rifleman’s Association were Gary’s passions.
Gary is survived by his devoted son Gordon Dean and wife Mercedes Roman Manson of Boston; his two closest cousins, Joyce Wilson Wallace of Mystic and Lawrence E. Wilson III of Providence; a stepson Samuel L. Manuel Jr.; stepdaughter Christine M. Manuel; four step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. Beyond his wife, Gary is predeceased by two infant children, Elizabeth Lee and Michael Henry Manson.
A graveside service will take place at noon Friday, April 5, at Elm Grove Cemetery, 197 Greenmanville Ave., in Mystic. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with arrangements. Please visit www. Byles.com for directions, to sign the guestbook or to share thoughts and memories of Gary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, https://www. doctorswithoutborders.org/ get-involved/ways-to-give.