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 December 1, 2006 - Ontario University
Athletics lost one of its coaching legends, John
Shannahan McManus, on Wednesday, November 29, 2006,
after a courageous battle with cancer at North York
General Hospital.
Devoted and loving husband of
the late Myrtle (nee Thom) for 40 years and predeceased
by his brother Pierce and sisters Mildred and Kay. Will
be sadly missed by sister Maureen Elsey, son John and
wife Julie, their children Olivia and Patrick, and
daughter Katherine and husband Tom.
Born in
Milestone, Saskatchewan in 1918, he was raised in
Winnipeg, Manitoba where he excelled in Baseball,
Basketball and Track & Field. John joined the RCAF
at the outbreak of WWII and spent 1939-42 at various
Fighter Command bases in England. During the spring of
1942, he joined 413 Squadron in Ceylon for a tour and
then returned to Bomber Command bases in England for the
duration of the war. After WWII, he attended University
of Toronto where he studied Physical Education and
played basketball with the Varsity Blues. In addition to
playing at the intercollegiate level, John was a member
of the 1946 Toronto Huskies practice squad of the
Basketball Association of America (which merged with the National Basketball League
to become the National Basketball Association). During the summers, he was a
pitcher on various professional baseball teams. Upon
graduation in 1950, he coached the Acadia Axemen
basketball team in Wolfville, NS for two years and
returned to University of Toronto in 1952 to coach
football and basketball and to teach in the school of
Phys Ed. John was the head basketball coach from
1954-1983. During that period, he guided the Varsity
Blues through more than 600 exhibition, league and
playoff games. After retirement, he and Myrtle enjoyed
summers at their cottage on Collins Lake and winters in
Dania, Florida.
The OUA annual presents an award
in honour of John McManus to a retired (at least five
year) head coach or assistant coach with a minimum of
seven years coaching service. The award recognized the
highest ideals and qualities of sportsmanship and
service while engaged in coaching in university sport.
In accordance with John’s wishes, there will be
no visitation, service or funeral. Cremation has taken
place. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully
accepted in John’s memory to the "University of Toronto,
T-Holders' Association", and can be sent c/o Varsity
Blues Alumni Office, 55 Harbord St. Toronto, ON M5S 2W6.
John’s last message to family and friends “Get in shape
and keep fit!” | |
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