Final Salute

Donald Dewees DelManzo, Jr., died in his home on 2/18/2022, after a brave battle with cancer. He was 79. Don was born on 12/25/1942, to Donald D. and Joan (Andre) DelManzo in Doylestown. The family lived in Southampton, and Don hitch-hiked to LaSalle College High School in Philadelphia, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He received a full NROTC scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he played soccer and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering, and was the top NROTC and engineering student, and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy. He then earned a master’s degree at Colorado State University and was finishing his doctorate when he received orders to the Civil Engineer Corps Officers’ School. He deployed with the Seabees to Puerto Rico and Vietnam and was awarded several Commendation Medals. After 20 years of Naval service, as a civilian Don was the head of facilities for Amherst College, Lafayette College, SUNY Albany, Northern Virginia University, and Siena College where the students voted him outstanding administrator for his attention to their needs. At all institutions Don treated his employees with fairness and respect, helped them advance their careers and improved their work environments. He was a member of Rotary International. Don was an avid racquetball and handball player and golfer, and a coach of youth soccer, baseball and ice hockey. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Martha and his children Nathanael (Angel), Jason Woodrow, Joshua (Rie), and Brietta Larmon (Brian), his grandchildren Hazel, Ella, Noah and Robbie and his step-grand-daughters in Nebraska, Ava and Alex, and to all was known fondly as the Ogre or Ogie. He is also survived by his sister Patrice Langlois (William), a niece Aimee Bock (Steven) and nephew Will Langlois (Burt). He was preceded in death by his parents and his dear friend Steven Pentlen. Don was a life-long devout Catholic and was a communicant of Saints Peter and Paul in West Chester. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Villa Maria Academy Building Fund, 330 Central Ave., Malvern, Pa., 19355. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.
Published by The Daily Local from Feb. 21 to Feb. 22, 2022.