Deceased June 7, 2023
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IN MEMORY
Manson passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023, surrounded by family. Born in Newton, Mass., he attended Newton schools and Governor Dummer Academy. At Amherst, he was a good scholar and valued athlete in soccer and in hockey, which he co-captained (and still played competitively in his 80s). After college and Army service in Korea, Manson earned his master’s in education from Harvard and started on a doctorate from Columbia.
Manson married Merilyn Boyce in 1957, and they spent a year in Aleppo, Syria, where Manson began teaching. Returning to the U.S., Manson taught history in high schools, first in New Canaan, Conn., then in Newton, where their five children were born. But tragedy arrived in 1967, when Marilyn succumbed to cancer. Manson, now sole parent of five, soldiered on. Completing his doctorate, he moved into school administration.
In 1973, he married fellow educator Alison Kenney, and they had a daughter in their marriage of more than 30 years. Manson became principal of Watertown High School in 1976 and often brought his children to hockey games and other school events. After retiring, he and Alison enjoyed foreign travel and spending time in Chatham, Mass., their home, until Alison passed away in 2007.
Manson never stopped teaching or helping others. Retirement meant working nights at a homeless shelter and serving as team leader in Boston for City Year. He tutored in local schools, helping young immigrants and struggling students.
In 2010, Manson married Ann Ferguson, and they split their time between Chatham and Naples, spending holidays with family—and still volunteering.
His survivors include Ann; his children, Phil Hall (Kelly Campbell), Catherine Green, Scott Hall, Daniel Hall, Thomas Hall (Lisa) and Carolyn Hall (Chelsea Clark); and his grandchildren, Sharon, Scott, Emma, Elizabeth, Tyler, Kaylee, Siobhan, Conor, Daniel, Campbell, Eliza, June and Samuel.
The Hall family and Rich Gray ’53