Matthew Phillip McManus, 28, of Naples, Florida, died on June 21, 2022 unexpectedly. He was born March 28, 1994 at the Naples Community Hospital downtown and was the beloved son of Matthew Robert McManus and Lisa Louise Wills. Matthew was the first grandchild of the Wills side and 20th grandchild on the McManus side. He attended Naples Park Elementary School, North Naples Middle School and graduated from Auburndale High School in Auburndale, Florida.
In middle school, he belonged to the youth group at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, Florida, and also served as an altar server with his dear friend, Zachary Jones. Matthew was also named the school winner of the National Geography Bee and was proud to represent North Naples Middle School in Jacksonsville’s state competition. While in high school, he enjoyed playing four years of football and earned the Dean Spears Award for his hard work and dedication on the field. In addition, he was at his happiest playing for the school’s tennis team with his doubles partner and dear friend, Logan Allen.
His school years were filled with many joys and adventures. At age 12, Matthew was blessed to learn about his McManus family heritage of cherry farming. He lived with his grandparents, George and Clara McManus, on the family farm while working with his Uncle John and Aunt Michelle. It was a huge eye-opener for him, and he would call his mom requesting a credit card so he could buy his preferred foods and not zucchini made four different ways from the garden. True only child move. He even convinced a few of his McManus aunts to take him on grocery runs for his favorite foods and a swim at their lake cottages. He spent many care-free summers on the shores of Lake Michigan in Frankfort, Traverse City, and Houghton Lake, Michigan.
Matthew is survived by his father, Matthew Robert McManus of Auburndale, Florida, as well as his mother, Lisa Wills of Naples, Florida. He leaves behind his paternal grandfather, George A. McManus Jr. of Traverse City, Michigan. Matthew is survived by a huge clan on both the McManus and Wills sides. He is survived by dozens of aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves his paternal aunts Lisa (Stu) Saints, Peggy (Rick) Egelus, Molly (Nick) Agostinelli, Kate (Mike) McDonald, Kerry (Jamie) Canellos, Bridgett (Ron) Popp, George III (Laurie) McManus, and John (Michelle) McManus. He also leaves his maternal Aunt Beth Wills and five uncles, Phillip (Marla) Wills, Paul (Kristyn) Wills, Marc (Ashley) Wills, Anthony “Tony” (Kristen) Wills and Derek Klein. In addition, he leaves behind 13 Wills cousins and 22 McManus first cousins, 43 second cousins, and one third cousin.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Clara McManus, and his maternal grandparents, Phillip Wills and Rita (Wills) Andries and maternal Aunt Christina (Wills) Klein.
There will be two funeral masses held in both Naples, Florida, and in Traverse City, Michigan. The first Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 29th, at 2:00 pm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, Florida. The Mass will also be available live stream link: https://saintjohntheevangelist.com/events/online-funeral-mass
A second mass will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 11:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, Michigan. Friends and family are invited to attend a luncheon being held immediately afterwards at the church’s family center.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to St. Matthew’s House, 2601 Airport-Pulling Road South, Naples, FL 34112. This organization and their Christian staff personally touched his life many times throughout the last few years. The family expresses their deepest gratitude.
Published by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home on Jun. 28, 2022.
Comments are closed.