One of at least eight children, including: Elmira, Henry Armond, Arthur F, Thelma Helen, Mina, Albert, George E., and Phillip Manassa.
The family appears in the 1920 Federal Census of civilians in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. The household included: Phillip H Manassa, age 50, born in Michigan; Phelia, age 43, born in Columbia; Elmira S, age 21, born in Michigan; Henry A, age 19, born in Columbia; Arthur F, age 13, born in Panama Canal Zone; Thelma, age 11, born in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone; Minna, age 9, an American citizen; Albert, age 7, an American citizen; George, age 5, born in the Panama Canal Zone; and Phillip, age 1, born in the Panama Canal Zone.
Florida Times-Union, November 19, 2002
George E. Manassa, Sr., 88, passed away November 17, 2002. He was a long time resident of the Jacksonville area and Green Cove Springs. Mr. Manassa was a pioneer in the Bowling business in Jacksonville. He retired in 1983 from Bowl-A-Rama as owner and proprietor. He was a member of the Bowling Proprietors Association and was inducted into the Jacksonville Bowlers Hall of Fame. Mr. Manassa graduated from Ogelthorpe University where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1971, he began promoting the sport of skydiving in Jacksonville. He was also an avid golfer. Mr. Manassa served his country during World War II as a captain in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his son, George E. Manassa, Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 daughters, Celia Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs and Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park; 2 brothers, Albert Manassa and Phillip Manassa (Irene); sister, Mrs. Mina Grady; 5 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
News Article, Florida Times-Union, November 21, 2002
Manassa Sr. leaves legacy of innovation. In the late 1950s on Jacksonville's Southside, a midday knock on a housewife's front door very well could have been from George Manassa Sr. Mr. Manassa, who opened the Bowl-A-Rama in 1957, went door-to-door to invite women to bowl in a new idea of his: coffee leagues, one of many innovations he brought to Jacksonville's bowling world during his 26 years as owner of the facility on Philips Highway.
Funeral services for Mr. Manassa, 88, who passed away Sunday of natural causes following a brief illness, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
"You will not find a bowler in Jacksonville that will say a bad word about him," said Orville Zimmerman, who worked at Bowl-A-Rama from 1972-83. Contrary to practices of the '50s, Mr. Manassa believed bowling centers needed to offer more than smokey, pool-hall atmosphere. He installed the first AMF 8270 (automatic) pinsetter, which also provided the first overhead telescore system, in the Southeastern United States in 1957. Among the innovations Manassa brought to the area were coffee leagues, so named because the ladies participating would receive free coffee. He was the first in the region to provide a nursery to watch the children of those who were bowling. He instituted afternoon senior leagues, the practice of free bowling lessons and the concept of divisional play in leagues.
"[Mr. Manassa] wasn't afraid to take a chance and try something new if he thought it would help the bowling industry," long-time friend Dan Senecal said. In addition to the Bowl-A-Rama, he also owned what is now Cassat's Batt Bowl.
As a bowler, Mr. Manassa won the Jacksonville Journal bowling tournament in 1950 and the 40th annual Jacksonville city tournament, along with numerous other titles. The Greater Jacksonville Bowling Association Hall of Famer carried a 200 career average. "He was a good man and a great competitor, not only as a bowler but as a proprietor, and he will be missed," said Jax Lanes owner Art Ettlinger.
Mr. Manassa, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, lived in Green Cove Springs for 20 years before moving to Orange Park.
He is survived by daughters Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park and Celia Manassa-Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs; a son, George Manassa Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister Mina Grady; brothers Al Manassa and Phillip Manassa; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family appears in the 1920 Federal Census of civilians in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. The household included: Phillip H Manassa, age 50, born in Michigan; Phelia, age 43, born in Columbia; Elmira S, age 21, born in Michigan; Henry A, age 19, born in Columbia; Arthur F, age 13, born in Panama Canal Zone; Thelma, age 11, born in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone; Minna, age 9, an American citizen; Albert, age 7, an American citizen; George, age 5, born in the Panama Canal Zone; and Phillip, age 1, born in the Panama Canal Zone.
Florida Times-Union, November 19, 2002
George E. Manassa, Sr., 88, passed away November 17, 2002. He was a long time resident of the Jacksonville area and Green Cove Springs. Mr. Manassa was a pioneer in the Bowling business in Jacksonville. He retired in 1983 from Bowl-A-Rama as owner and proprietor. He was a member of the Bowling Proprietors Association and was inducted into the Jacksonville Bowlers Hall of Fame. Mr. Manassa graduated from Ogelthorpe University where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1971, he began promoting the sport of skydiving in Jacksonville. He was also an avid golfer. Mr. Manassa served his country during World War II as a captain in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his son, George E. Manassa, Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 daughters, Celia Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs and Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park; 2 brothers, Albert Manassa and Phillip Manassa (Irene); sister, Mrs. Mina Grady; 5 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
News Article, Florida Times-Union, November 21, 2002
Manassa Sr. leaves legacy of innovation. In the late 1950s on Jacksonville's Southside, a midday knock on a housewife's front door very well could have been from George Manassa Sr. Mr. Manassa, who opened the Bowl-A-Rama in 1957, went door-to-door to invite women to bowl in a new idea of his: coffee leagues, one of many innovations he brought to Jacksonville's bowling world during his 26 years as owner of the facility on Philips Highway.
Funeral services for Mr. Manassa, 88, who passed away Sunday of natural causes following a brief illness, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
"You will not find a bowler in Jacksonville that will say a bad word about him," said Orville Zimmerman, who worked at Bowl-A-Rama from 1972-83. Contrary to practices of the '50s, Mr. Manassa believed bowling centers needed to offer more than smokey, pool-hall atmosphere. He installed the first AMF 8270 (automatic) pinsetter, which also provided the first overhead telescore system, in the Southeastern United States in 1957. Among the innovations Manassa brought to the area were coffee leagues, so named because the ladies participating would receive free coffee. He was the first in the region to provide a nursery to watch the children of those who were bowling. He instituted afternoon senior leagues, the practice of free bowling lessons and the concept of divisional play in leagues.
"[Mr. Manassa] wasn't afraid to take a chance and try something new if he thought it would help the bowling industry," long-time friend Dan Senecal said. In addition to the Bowl-A-Rama, he also owned what is now Cassat's Batt Bowl.
As a bowler, Mr. Manassa won the Jacksonville Journal bowling tournament in 1950 and the 40th annual Jacksonville city tournament, along with numerous other titles. The Greater Jacksonville Bowling Association Hall of Famer carried a 200 career average. "He was a good man and a great competitor, not only as a bowler but as a proprietor, and he will be missed," said Jax Lanes owner Art Ettlinger.
Mr. Manassa, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, lived in Green Cove Springs for 20 years before moving to Orange Park.
He is survived by daughters Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park and Celia Manassa-Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs; a son, George Manassa Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister Mina Grady; brothers Al Manassa and Phillip Manassa; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
One of at least eight children, including: Elmira, Henry Armond, Arthur F, Thelma Helen, Mina, Albert, George E., and Phillip Manassa.
The family appears in the 1920 Federal Census of civilians in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. The household included: Phillip H Manassa, age 50, born in Michigan; Phelia, age 43, born in Columbia; Elmira S, age 21, born in Michigan; Henry A, age 19, born in Columbia; Arthur F, age 13, born in Panama Canal Zone; Thelma, age 11, born in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone; Minna, age 9, an American citizen; Albert, age 7, an American citizen; George, age 5, born in the Panama Canal Zone; and Phillip, age 1, born in the Panama Canal Zone.
Florida Times-Union, November 19, 2002
George E. Manassa, Sr., 88, passed away November 17, 2002. He was a long time resident of the Jacksonville area and Green Cove Springs. Mr. Manassa was a pioneer in the Bowling business in Jacksonville. He retired in 1983 from Bowl-A-Rama as owner and proprietor. He was a member of the Bowling Proprietors Association and was inducted into the Jacksonville Bowlers Hall of Fame. Mr. Manassa graduated from Ogelthorpe University where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1971, he began promoting the sport of skydiving in Jacksonville. He was also an avid golfer. Mr. Manassa served his country during World War II as a captain in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his son, George E. Manassa, Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 daughters, Celia Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs and Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park; 2 brothers, Albert Manassa and Phillip Manassa (Irene); sister, Mrs. Mina Grady; 5 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
News Article, Florida Times-Union, November 21, 2002
Manassa Sr. leaves legacy of innovation. In the late 1950s on Jacksonville's Southside, a midday knock on a housewife's front door very well could have been from George Manassa Sr. Mr. Manassa, who opened the Bowl-A-Rama in 1957, went door-to-door to invite women to bowl in a new idea of his: coffee leagues, one of many innovations he brought to Jacksonville's bowling world during his 26 years as owner of the facility on Philips Highway.
Funeral services for Mr. Manassa, 88, who passed away Sunday of natural causes following a brief illness, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
"You will not find a bowler in Jacksonville that will say a bad word about him," said Orville Zimmerman, who worked at Bowl-A-Rama from 1972-83. Contrary to practices of the '50s, Mr. Manassa believed bowling centers needed to offer more than smokey, pool-hall atmosphere. He installed the first AMF 8270 (automatic) pinsetter, which also provided the first overhead telescore system, in the Southeastern United States in 1957. Among the innovations Manassa brought to the area were coffee leagues, so named because the ladies participating would receive free coffee. He was the first in the region to provide a nursery to watch the children of those who were bowling. He instituted afternoon senior leagues, the practice of free bowling lessons and the concept of divisional play in leagues.
"[Mr. Manassa] wasn't afraid to take a chance and try something new if he thought it would help the bowling industry," long-time friend Dan Senecal said. In addition to the Bowl-A-Rama, he also owned what is now Cassat's Batt Bowl.
As a bowler, Mr. Manassa won the Jacksonville Journal bowling tournament in 1950 and the 40th annual Jacksonville city tournament, along with numerous other titles. The Greater Jacksonville Bowling Association Hall of Famer carried a 200 career average. "He was a good man and a great competitor, not only as a bowler but as a proprietor, and he will be missed," said Jax Lanes owner Art Ettlinger.
Mr. Manassa, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, lived in Green Cove Springs for 20 years before moving to Orange Park.
He is survived by daughters Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park and Celia Manassa-Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs; a son, George Manassa Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister Mina Grady; brothers Al Manassa and Phillip Manassa; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family appears in the 1920 Federal Census of civilians in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone. The household included: Phillip H Manassa, age 50, born in Michigan; Phelia, age 43, born in Columbia; Elmira S, age 21, born in Michigan; Henry A, age 19, born in Columbia; Arthur F, age 13, born in Panama Canal Zone; Thelma, age 11, born in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone; Minna, age 9, an American citizen; Albert, age 7, an American citizen; George, age 5, born in the Panama Canal Zone; and Phillip, age 1, born in the Panama Canal Zone.
Florida Times-Union, November 19, 2002
George E. Manassa, Sr., 88, passed away November 17, 2002. He was a long time resident of the Jacksonville area and Green Cove Springs. Mr. Manassa was a pioneer in the Bowling business in Jacksonville. He retired in 1983 from Bowl-A-Rama as owner and proprietor. He was a member of the Bowling Proprietors Association and was inducted into the Jacksonville Bowlers Hall of Fame. Mr. Manassa graduated from Ogelthorpe University where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1971, he began promoting the sport of skydiving in Jacksonville. He was also an avid golfer. Mr. Manassa served his country during World War II as a captain in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Survivors include his son, George E. Manassa, Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 daughters, Celia Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs and Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park; 2 brothers, Albert Manassa and Phillip Manassa (Irene); sister, Mrs. Mina Grady; 5 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
News Article, Florida Times-Union, November 21, 2002
Manassa Sr. leaves legacy of innovation. In the late 1950s on Jacksonville's Southside, a midday knock on a housewife's front door very well could have been from George Manassa Sr. Mr. Manassa, who opened the Bowl-A-Rama in 1957, went door-to-door to invite women to bowl in a new idea of his: coffee leagues, one of many innovations he brought to Jacksonville's bowling world during his 26 years as owner of the facility on Philips Highway.
Funeral services for Mr. Manassa, 88, who passed away Sunday of natural causes following a brief illness, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
"You will not find a bowler in Jacksonville that will say a bad word about him," said Orville Zimmerman, who worked at Bowl-A-Rama from 1972-83. Contrary to practices of the '50s, Mr. Manassa believed bowling centers needed to offer more than smokey, pool-hall atmosphere. He installed the first AMF 8270 (automatic) pinsetter, which also provided the first overhead telescore system, in the Southeastern United States in 1957. Among the innovations Manassa brought to the area were coffee leagues, so named because the ladies participating would receive free coffee. He was the first in the region to provide a nursery to watch the children of those who were bowling. He instituted afternoon senior leagues, the practice of free bowling lessons and the concept of divisional play in leagues.
"[Mr. Manassa] wasn't afraid to take a chance and try something new if he thought it would help the bowling industry," long-time friend Dan Senecal said. In addition to the Bowl-A-Rama, he also owned what is now Cassat's Batt Bowl.
As a bowler, Mr. Manassa won the Jacksonville Journal bowling tournament in 1950 and the 40th annual Jacksonville city tournament, along with numerous other titles. The Greater Jacksonville Bowling Association Hall of Famer carried a 200 career average. "He was a good man and a great competitor, not only as a bowler but as a proprietor, and he will be missed," said Jax Lanes owner Art Ettlinger.
Mr. Manassa, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, lived in Green Cove Springs for 20 years before moving to Orange Park.
He is survived by daughters Christina Prince (Emanuel) of Orange Park and Celia Manassa-Sohm (Henry) of Green Cove Springs; a son, George Manassa Jr. (Elaine) of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister Mina Grady; brothers Al Manassa and Phillip Manassa; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
