FWISD News Alerts

Contact: Communication Department
817-871-2458

Press Release March 18, 2002

In lieu of flowers, contributions to a scholarship fund honoring Mr. Manny
may be mailed to the:

Gary J. Manny Scholarship Fund
c/o Fort Worth ISD
100 N. University Dr. Ste. 260NW
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Celebration of Life -
Family, friends, colleagues honor memory of Gary J. Manny

A public celebration honoring the life of the late Gary J. Manny, 16-year veteran of the Fort Worth Independent School District Board of Education, took place at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Center and Conservatory at Saturday, March 30, 2002. Mr. Manny passed away March 15 while the district's schools were closed for spring break.

Initially elected to represent a single-member district, Mr. Manny went on to serve 14 years as board president, elected by the community at-large to represent the district as a whole. His tenure as president was the longest in the district's history.

The memorial celebration included special music by the Paschal High School strings and harpist, and the O.D. Wyatt High School choir. Participants included former Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen, the Rev. Michael Bell, pastor, Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church; and the following eulogists: U.S. Rep. Kay Granger; Texas Sen. Mike Moncrief; Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr; FWISD Trustee T.A. Sims; FWISD Supt. Thomas S. Tocco; former FWISD Trustee Rachel Newman; attorney David Chappell; and family friend Mary Palko.

Co-hosts include the city of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the FWISD.