Desmond Francis Mann, age 92, of Millville, NJ, passed away quietly on July 18, 2016.
Desmond was born June 10, 1924 in New Orleans, LA. He graduated valedictorian of Vineland High School in 1942. After graduation he attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and sailed on merchant ships for the duration of WWII. During the war years, Desmond served in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean Middle East War Zones. He was awarded war zone bars for each of these theaters along with the Victory Medal for war service in the Merchant Marine. Following WWII, he attended the University of Delaware before embarking on his career as a shore side marine engineer and executive in the shipping industry. He retired as Vice President of Engineering from Ogden Marine Industries in New York City in 1986. During his earlier post war years he also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant JG, from which he was honorably discharged in 1954. He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Marine Port Engineers of New York, Merchant Marine Veterans of North Jersey, Kings Point Alumni, the Old Guard and a fellow of the British Institute of Marine Engineers. He was also a member of the Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder.
Desmond will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends as being a gentleman with high integrity, a great sense of humor, an avid reader and a love for entertaining family and friends.
Desmond is survived by his sister, Kathleen Patricia Mann and her husband, Gilbert Burns, of Donegal, Ireland; son William and his wife Elaine of Millville, NJ; daughter Patricia of Mt. Dora, FL; son James and his wife Mei of Vallejo, CA; and son Thomas of Ringwood, NJ; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Ethel (Stubee) Mann and his sister, Moira (Mann) Dougherty.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Barr Funeral Home, 2014 E. Main St., Millville, NJ 08332 at 11 AM with visitation of family and friends beginning at 10 AM.