Obituary for Patrick C. Mannion

Patrick “Red” Mannion, age 88, of Westerville, Ohio, died of cancer on April 8, 2024, at St. Ann’s Hospital. He is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years Joanne (Ventresca); his parents Patrick Joseph and Mary Bridget (Carr) Mannion; his brother Bill Mannion; his parents-in-law Luciano and Antonetta (Piecoro) Ventresca; and his niece Luann Kaplan.

Patrick was born in Akron, Ohio on May 3, 1935, and graduated from St. Mary High School in 1953. In Pat’s youth, he enjoyed playing many different sports, including baseball, football, boxing, and of course, basketball. He earned his degree in education at the University of Akron, where he was a member of the Lone Star Fraternity. After graduation, he served in the Army, and was called back to active duty during the Berlin Wall Crisis of 1961.

Pat taught social studies at Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus in the 1960s and at Worthington High School from the late 1960s until the early 1980s, where he always kept a basketball hoop over the trash can in his classroom. He coached many sports during his teaching years, including varsity basketball at both Watterson and Worthington and was an assistant coach of Watterson’s 1966 football state championship team. During his teaching career, he also earned his masters’ degree in school counseling at The Ohio State University.

After retiring from teaching, Pat worked for the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Southern District of Ohio and finished the final 17 years of his lengthy career at Telhio Credit Union, finally retiring on January 31, 2024. In recent weeks, he missed his many caring colleagues there, and especially Marty’s excellent breakfast sandwiches.

Despite multiple metastatic cancers, Pat continued to live independently, lifting weights, and walking in local parks and at the Westerville Recreation Center. He loved to visit the library and always had a history book with him. He enjoyed sharing the Columbus Dispatch and chatting with his dear friend Father Jerry Rodenfels.

Pat was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of Church of the Resurrection in New Albany. He was proud of his Irish heritage. His nickname, Red, referred both to the color of his hair and the color of his face when his Irish temper flared up. He loved basketball, Diet Coke (no ice!), eating at the House of Japan, reading, jazz, and his Saturday morning golf league with his Watterson buddies. Pat was devoted to his children and loved talking to his son about coaching. He welcomed his children’s spouses as if they were his own children. His grandchildren were fortunate to have such an involved Papa who was a constant presence at their birthdays, concerts, games, and school events.

Pat is survived by his children Patrick (Jenny), Brian (Laurie), and DeAnne (Mike Freitas); his grandchildren Andrew, Caroline, and Joseph Patrick Mannion; Lauren (Clay) Peck; Ben and Cameron Rau; and Chloe and Jackson Freitas; his sisters Nancy Mannion and Midge Rach; his sisters-in-law Ursula Mannion and Teresa Ventresca and brother-in-law John Neff; and his nieces and nephews Mike, Megan, and Tim Mannion; Joe (Laura) and Sean (Cindy) Rach; and Kenny Klinglesmith (Chris) and Tracy Boutourline.

Family will receive visitors from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at Hill Funeral Home (220 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Resurrection (6300 E Dublin Granville Rd, New Albany, OH 43054) on Friday, April 12 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Prayer service Thursday night will be livestreamed on the Hill Funeral Home YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation in celebration of Pat’s love of reading and learning.

The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and caregivers who took care of Pat during his recent illnesses, especially Dr. Matt Ringle and Dr. Steve Duff. We are grateful for their expertise and compassion and efforts to make Pat as comfortable as possible. We would also like to thank Pat’s family, friends, colleagues, and former students and players for their love, prayers, and support. We are comforted knowing that Pat is at peace and has joined his loved ones to enjoy the gift of eternal life. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.