The Mannix family and guests had gathered Sunday on a Florida beach for a barbeque celebrating Brian Mannix Jr.'s high school graduation. But at the height of the festivities, the joyous occasion turned tragic.
Brian Mannix Sr., a former Center Moriches resident, drowned trying to rescue his 5-year-old nephew when a rip tide off the shore in Indialantic pulled him under.
Nearby swimmers pulled Mannix' nephew, Jess Williams, from the current, which almost overpowered Mannix' son, Brian Jr., in his attempt to help rescue Jess.
A resident of Center Moriches for most of his life, Mannix Sr., 44, moved with his family to Florida four years ago after he was laid off from his job at Grumman Aerospace in Calverton. He was security manager at Grumman Melbourne Systems, Melbourne, Fla.
"The family is filled with grief and gratitude knowing that Brian's courage and strength were only matched by his concern for others" said his sister, Kate Huttner of Manorville.
Huttner said the circumstances surrounding the death of her brother, a father of three and the eldest of 10 siblings, epitomized the way he lived. "He was always right there."
Mannix' wife, Sherry, and the rest of the gathering including the couple's two other children, Janice, 20 and Mary, 14, were at Coconut Point Park beach about 2 p.m. when Jess and Brian Jr. got caught in the riptide.
Mannix Sr.'s sister-in-law, Maureen Runyan of Center Moriches, said Mannix' daughter, Janice, called for help when she realized Jess and Brian Jr. were in trouble. Jess' father, Ron Williams, a family friend and Mannix Sr. all responded.
Brian Jr. fought the current as he struggled to keep Jess' head above water. Mannix Sr. reached the pair and took Jess from Brian Jr., who swam back to shore and called for help from surfers.
By the time the surfers reached the drowning pair, they were able to rescue Jess, but Mannix Sr. had gone under. He surfaced about 10 minutes later and was brought ashore by the surfers. Runyan,a police officer, administered cardiopulminary resuscitation, but Mannix Sr. was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital.
Other survivors include his mother, Aileen of Center Moriches, brothers, James of Shirley, Mathew of Germantown, Md., Daniel and Dennis of Center Moriches, and Patrick and Robert of Manorville, sister, Aileen Smith of Wiscasset, Maine and Maureen Burke of Broadway, N.J. and 18 nieces and nephews. Veiwing at Sinnickson's Funeral Home in Center Moriches is today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
A burial mass will be held 9:30 a.m. at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Center Moriches. Donations may be made to Moriches Rotary Health Camp Inc., P.O. Box 677, Center Moriches, N.Y. 11934.
Blessings to his family from Mercy Class of '69.
NOVEMBER 16, 1951 - JUNE 2, 1996
If you have any memories of Brian that you'd like to share, please enter thembelow. (Click on Post Response)
God bless Brian. I'm not surprised that he would risk his life for someone and die a hero. Brian was in the same class with me for 4 years. I remember him as a bright, funny, good looking and kind Irishman. Brian's trial through those first years of high school was his battle with disfluency. I always admired his courage in persevering through his reading or reciting before the class. He gained in stature and self confidence through those years, laughing at himself and pushing through, often turning bright red in the process, like the Irishman he was.
In every trail, there is some gift, some kind of personal growth. Brian had to be brave to work with his disfluency in front of a class of teenagers. His bravery also saved the life of a boy. What a guy!
May God grant him eternal peace and may the Lord hold him forever in His embrace.
Brian and I went to school together starting in the 4th grade at St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches. I remember his handsome Irish face and that mischievous expression on it. I don't imagine he got away with much at home, his face betrayed him. He was one of, what I'll call, the "Three Amigos"; Tom Twomey, Sandy Szczepanik and Brian Mannix. Their comedic antics in class made us all crack up especially in sophomore and senior year.
Brian had a stutter and though I never heard anybody make fun of him for it, he made fun of himself. When he was called on to read, you could feel the whole class pulling for him. It must have been tough for him, but I think he knew we were all rooting for him. Sister Jeremiah's class was the one I remember his making us all hysterical in. She called on him to read from "The High Times", fascinating stuff, and he hammed it up by really exaggerating his stutter to the max. Sister Jeremiah, of course, didn't know it was an act and encouraged him to "take your time". He took full advantage of her sympathetic mumurings and we all died laughing, silently of course. I can see that grin on his face, now! He was a smart, funny guy who liked to have fun, but was never, ever mean.
The other distinct memory of him was in Economics class with Mr. Lindsay in senior year. The class was right after lunch period and on this particular day, the senior boys had decided to have a milk drinking contest. The cafeteria sold those small containers of milk, and the guys chugged as many as they could. While we all filed up the stairs from the cafeteria to the second floor you could smell the unmistakable aroma of vomit wafting through the air. Brian was one of the participants in this "inspired" contest and shortly after we all were seated, Mr. Lindsay looked toward the back of the room, to the last seat before the rear door. Brian raised his hand, stood up and had this green, desperate look on his face...he didn't have to say a word, his look of panic and silent pleading to be excused from class was communicated to Mr. Lindsey, who just nodded. Brian ran out of the classroom and I assume he made it to the bathroom before the milk and he parted company. Funny, the things that stay with you.
The last time I saw Brian was at our 20th reunion. I remember going over to his table to say hello with Martha Andrejack. Brian had put on weight and was now wearing glasses. I would never have recognized him on the street, and told him so. I had known this "kid" since fourth grade and I didn't recognize him. I remember him asking Martha how her father was and reminding her that Mr. Andrejack had coached him in Little League. Thoughtful of him to remember and mention that to her. That was the last time I laid eyes on Brian. I know his family, our class and God are all very proud of Brian for what he did, that, his last day on earth. It doesn't seem fair that he should have to die at 44. How terrifying and terrible for his family and what a loss for everyone. But his bravery saved the life of a little boy, who is alive today, thanks to Brian. My mother always uses the expression, "You'll get your reward in heaven" and I'm sure he has. May God bless you, Brian and may you rest in eternal peace. I'm sure I'll recognize you this time when I see you on the other side! This song is for your, Brian!!
Elinor M. (Ellen) Platt (Hoar)
God bless Brian. I'm not surprised that he would risk his life for someone and die a hero. Brian was in the same class with me for 4 years. I remember him as a bright, funny, good looking and kind Irishman. Brian's trial through those first years of high school was his battle with disfluency. I always admired his courage in persevering through his reading or reciting before the class. He gained in stature and self confidence through those years, laughing at himself and pushing through, often turning bright red in the process, like the Irishman he was.In every trail, there is some gift, some kind of personal growth. Brian had to be brave to work with his disfluency in front of a class of teenagers. His bravery also saved the life of a boy. What a guy!
May God grant him eternal peace and may the Lord hold him forever in His embrace.
Mary E. Clausing
Brian and I went to school together starting in the 4th grade at St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches. I remember his handsome Irish face and that mischievous expression on it. I don't imagine he got away with much at home, his face betrayed him. He was one of, what I'll call, the "Three Amigos"; Tom Twomey, Sandy Szczepanik and Brian Mannix. Their comedic antics in class made us all crack up especially in sophomore and senior year.Brian had a stutter and though I never heard anybody make fun of him for it, he made fun of himself. When he was called on to read, you could feel the whole class pulling for him. It must have been tough for him, but I think he knew we were all rooting for him. Sister Jeremiah's class was the one I remember his making us all hysterical in. She called on him to read from "The High Times", fascinating stuff, and he hammed it up by really exaggerating his stutter to the max. Sister Jeremiah, of course, didn't know it was an act and encouraged him to "take your time". He took full advantage of her sympathetic mumurings and we all died laughing, silently of course. I can see that grin on his face, now! He was a smart, funny guy who liked to have fun, but was never, ever mean.
The other distinct memory of him was in Economics class with Mr. Lindsay in senior year. The class was right after lunch period and on this particular day, the senior boys had decided to have a milk drinking contest. The cafeteria sold those small containers of milk, and the guys chugged as many as they could. While we all filed up the stairs from the cafeteria to the second floor you could smell the unmistakable aroma of vomit wafting through the air. Brian was one of the participants in this "inspired" contest and shortly after we all were seated, Mr. Lindsay looked toward the back of the room, to the last seat before the rear door. Brian raised his hand, stood up and had this green, desperate look on his face...he didn't have to say a word, his look of panic and silent pleading to be excused from class was communicated to Mr. Lindsey, who just nodded. Brian ran out of the classroom and I assume he made it to the bathroom before the milk and he parted company. Funny, the things that stay with you.
The last time I saw Brian was at our 20th reunion. I remember going over to his table to say hello with Martha Andrejack. Brian had put on weight and was now wearing glasses. I would never have recognized him on the street, and told him so. I had known this "kid" since fourth grade and I didn't recognize him. I remember him asking Martha how her father was and reminding her that Mr. Andrejack had coached him in Little League. Thoughtful of him to remember and mention that to her. That was the last time I laid eyes on Brian. I know his family, our class and God are all very proud of Brian for what he did, that, his last day on earth. It doesn't seem fair that he should have to die at 44. How terrifying and terrible for his family and what a loss for everyone. But his bravery saved the life of a little boy, who is alive today, thanks to Brian. My mother always uses the expression, "You'll get your reward in heaven" and I'm sure he has. May God bless you, Brian and may you rest in eternal peace. I'm sure I'll recognize you this time when I see you on the other side!
This song is for your, Brian!!