Robert J. Mantica died at his home at the Atria Marina Place Assisted Living, Quincy.
Born in Oneonta, N.Y., he and his late wife
of 65 years, Rachel (Rae) Mantica, lived in Milton
for over 50 years on Barton’s Lane and at Pine
Tree Brook.
An active member of the First Congregational Church of Milton for over 50 years, he was a religious instructor for eight years. Mr. Mantica was also president of the Milton Youth Club and of Collicot School PTA for several years. The Manticas supported numerous charities each year.
A graduate of Colgate University, class of 1940, he majored in economics. While at Colgate he was awarded the President Scholarship and the Austen Scholarship for four years. In addition, he was the manager of the wrestling team for four years and the intramural coach for three years.
He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the Konosioni Society, which was the most
coveted campus honor. In addition, he was a
member of Sigma Delta Psi, a national honorary organization for proficiency in every major branch
of athletics.
In his early career, Mr. Mantica was employed
by the propeller division of Remington Rand Co.
as a supervisor of standards. He then became
the resident engineer with Dyer Engineering,
of Cleveland, an industrial consulting firm. Recruited by Quincy’s Pneumatic Scale, a nationally known packaging and bottling equipment company, in
1950, he eventually became its plant manager and
vice president.
His many interests included photography, reading, golfing, boating, carpentry and gardening. A sports enthusiast, he particularly enjoyed football, as he played for Colgate in his freshman year.
An avid gardener, he always surprised neighbors and friends with his vegetables and flowers.
He possessed an appreciation of nature and its
beauty.
Wintering in Sarasota, Fla., for 20 years, he and his wife belonged to the Ringling Museum of Art and the Sarasota Symphony. He volunteered for 10 years at the Doctors’ Hospital in Sarasota.
His life’s devotion was his love for his family. He and his wife traveled to Guam, Bermuda, Italy and Canada, and throughout the United States.
He is survived by his children, Barbara Rae
Levy and her husband, Marshall, of Milton, and
Dr. Robert P. Mantica and his wife, Sarah, of
Red Hook, N.Y.; five grandchildren; Stephanie
R. Stairs and her husband, Richard, of West
Palm Beach, Fla., Philip R. Levy and his wife, Jacqueline, of Auburn, N.H., and Jacqueline Mantica,
Abigail Mantica and Benjamin Mantica, all of
New York; and three great-grandchildren, Emily, Oliver and Marshall.
A funeral service was held in First Congregational Church of Milton on Aug. 1. Burial was in Milton Cemetery.
Donations may be made to First Congregational Church of Milton, 495 Canton Ave., Milton, MA 02186; or to VNA Hospice of Boston, 100 Sylvan Road, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801.
Arrangements were by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home.