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Funeral Services Held for Frank McManus

Updated: Monday, June 23, 2003 9:04 AM
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2003 4:03 PM
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Funeral services were held June 21 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. for Frank J. McManus, a former jockey and trainer, who died Wednesday at his home there. He was 84.

Born on June 27, 1918, in Germantown, Pa., he was a son of the late Frank and Marie (McDermott) McManus. He started his career working with horses in 1929 at George D. Widener's Erdenheim Farm near his home in Philadelphia, Pa. He was a jockey at 16 years of age and won his first race at Saratoga Race Course in August 1934. He later served in the U.S. Army during World War II, honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1946.

Mr. McManus went to work for Greentree Stables as assistant to John Gaver and was a trainer for Greentree's Florida string at Hialeah for 10 years. He won the Florida Derby and Flamingo Stakes with Raymond Curtis' My Dad George in 1970, who later finished second in both the Kentucky Derby (to Dust Commander) and Preakness (by a neck to Personality). Favored in all three legs of the Triple Crown, My Dad George ran fifth to High Echelon in the 1970 Belmont Stakes.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marie F. (Colamaria) McManus, whom he married on May 16, 1948, in St. Peter's Church, Saratoga Springs; his daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Larry Zee, both of Naples, Fla.; one son, Thomas F. McManus of Saratoga Springs; and one granddaughter, Kelly Zee of Orlando, Fla.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.

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