CHARLESTON — Msgr. J. Fleming McManus, a retired priest of the Diocese of Charleston, died Jan. 7 at the age of 80. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 12 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.
Msgr. McManus was born Dec. 16, 1924, in Aberdeen, N.C. He was a son of the late Bernard A. and Glenn Fleming McManus.
Msgr. McManus attended Cathedral School and graduated from Bishop England High School in Charleston. He attended Saint Charles College in Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. He received a master’s degree from Theological College and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Msgr. McManus was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1947, by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh. He was named Prelate of Honor on Sept. 9, 1983.
During his 57 years of ministry, Msgr. McManus was associate pastor at Stella Maris Church on Sullivan’s Island and St. John Church in North Charleston. He served as pastor of St. Mary Church on Yonges Island; St. Patrick and St. Joseph churches in Charleston; St. Paul the Apostle Church in Spartanburg; and St. Andrew Church in Myrtle Beach. He retired as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in 1995. Msgr. McManus was also rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
Msgr. McManus served as director of the Diocesan Development Fund, chairman of the Diocesan Finance Committee and chairman of the Priests’ Retirement Fund. He served as assistant superintendent and superintendent of Catholic schools, consultant to the diocesan school board and Pro-Synodal Judge on the diocesan Tribunal. He was also a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors. Msgr. McManus served on the faculty of Bishop England High School and was a member of its school board. He served as the bishop’s representative to the Board of Managers at St. Francis Community Hospital, and was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 5086.
Msgr. McManus is survived by cousins Joseph C. (Neil) McManus of Mt. Pleasant, Dr. Eugene McManus of Aiken, Frank Parker of Columbia, and several second cousins.
Donations may be made to the St. Joseph Residence, 1662 Ingram Road, Charleston, SC 29407.