The Reverend Monsignor Hugh Francis McManus entered eternal life on July 2, 2024, at age 88.

A native of New York City, Msgr. McManus spent his formative years in the Bronx. His academic journey began at All Hallows High School and continued at Cathedral Seminary and St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, where he acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 27, 1961.

Advancing his education, Father McManus obtained a Master of English Literature from Fordham University, followed by a Doctorate in the same field from Columbia University. He went on to earn an additional master’s degree in theology from the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Douglaston.

For nearly two decades, Father McManus dedicated his service to the spiritual and academic growth of countless priests. His influential role as a mentor and educator at both St. Joseph’s Seminary and the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston, Queens, has left an indelible mark on the clergy.

Following ordination, Father McManus studied Spanish at the Catholic University of Puerto Rico. He then was chaplain at the Kennedy Home in the Bronx while pursuing his studies at Fordham University. From 1966 to 1968, he was a parochial vicar at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Parish on Staten Island. He was then named Professor of English Literature at Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston. In 1980, Father McManus was named associate pastor at Our Lady of Fatima in Scarsdale. Four years later, in 1984, he assumed the role of Pastor at Sacred Heart, Dobbs Ferry, after a brief period as an administrator. His leadership there continued until 1989, when he was appointed as the Archdiocesan Vicar for Education. In 1990, he was named Monsignor and Prelate of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

In 1993, Monsignor McManus returned to Our Lady of Fatima in Scarsdale, initially serving as an administrator. He then took on the role of Pastor from 1994 until 2010. He continued his service at Our Lady of Fatima as Senior Priest and Administrator until his retirement in 2015. After officially retiring, he continued to serve as a Priest In Residence at St. John Visitation, in the Bronx.

Throughout his many years of service across numerous parishes, Monsignor McManus touched the lives of countless students, parishioners, friends, and family members administering baptisms, marriages, and funerals for hundreds, perhaps thousands. His devotion to the Church was unwavering, and he was renowned for his gifted teaching, inspiring preaching, and his innate ability to connect with people on a personal level.

His love for his extended family was profound, with over 40 first cousins on the McManus side alone. He made extraordinary efforts to keep all his cousins connected, fostering a strong sense of family unity. His interest in genealogy was particularly focused on his ancestral home of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, where he also had a keen interest in the peace process.

In 2018, Monsignor McManus had the distinct honor of discussing these topics with President Bill Clinton. He shared his firsthand experience as a young boy attending St. Michaels School in Enniskillen, a school tragically bombed in 1987 and now known as the Clinton Centre. During their conversation, Monsignor McManus and President Clinton discussed their common Cassidy ancestry, and dedication to peace, family, and Irish heritage.

Monsignor McManus was predeceased by his parents, Theresa (née Drumm) and Hugh McManus, as well as his stepmother, Ita Farrell McManus. He is survived by his stepsister Lillian Farrell Lees. His life and work have left an indelible impact on those who knew him, and his memory will be cherished by his family and the many lives he touched.

A vigil will be held on Tuesday, July 9, from 5-9 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima, Scarsdale. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., also at Our Lady of Fatima, Scarsdale. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester. The Mass will be streamed on Annunciation-Our Lady of Fatima’s Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible donation, by mail, in memory of Msgr. Hugh McManus, to:

St. John Vianney Clergy Residence (Restricted to Cardinal Egan Pavilion)
Archdiocese of New York, 1011 First Avenue, 14th floor New York, NY 10022

Or by clicking: 2024 Cardinal’s Appeal Pledge Form
Instructions: In Memory of: Msgr. Hugh McManus, Tribute Recipient: Restricted – Cardinal Egan Pavilion