O. Paul Mansbery

O. Paul Mansbery, of Lititz, formerly of Stuart, Florida, entered into rest on Thursday, December 6. He was the beloved husband of Geraldine T. Mansbery, nee Taynor.   Born in 1925, he grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, the youngest son of Frank and Catherine Mansbery.  A veteran of World War II, Paul served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wildcat in the Pacific Theater.

Paul was a graduate of Plainfield High School where he was an All-Star basketball player.  He graduated from Seton Hall University with a BS in Health and Physical Education.  Paul played on the varsity basketball team for the Pirates.  In 1957 he received his MA in Education from Rutgers University.  Paul went on to teach and become a principal in Plainfield.  He finished his career in education as the principal of the Warren Township Middle School in Warren, NJ.

A long-time communicant in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Plainfield and St. Joseph’s in Stuart, Paul was very active in the church and community.   In 1959 he was honored at Young Man of the Year by the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce.  He served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree in Stuart.

Paul was a man who truly enjoyed life and his family. He spent many years involved in sports as a coach, umpire, and referee.  An avid craftsman, he created lighthouses and children’s toys.  He was involved with the American Legion, Elks, National Education Association, was an active member of the Washington Valley Volunteer Fire Co., and the Schoolmaster’s Association.

Paul was a much-loved father and is survived by his children:  Thomas Mansbery, husband of Carol of Durham, NC, Kathleen Mansbery of Stanhope, NJ, William Mansbery, husband of Kathy of Lititz, and   Margaret Girten, wife of Kevin Girten of Lititz.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Ryan Mansbery, Jennifer Mansbery, Jeanne Mansbery, Kelley Mansbery, Mimi Flores, Kathleen Girten, and Kevin Girten, Jr.  Paul was the proud great-grandfather of three. He was preceded in death by a son, James P. Mansbery and a brother, Francis M. Mansbery, Jr.

Friends will be received on Sunday from 12Noon-2PM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA.   Relatives and friends may also pay their respects on Monday from 10-11AM at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz, PA , with the Mass of Christian Burial  to follow at 11AM. Interment in Longeneckers Cemetery in Lititz. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr., Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.