William J. Manduca, 76, of Dresden, passed away on June 13 after a long and courageous battle with cancer at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.
He was born on March 14, 1938 in Biddeford, the son of S. Theodore and Mary (Hoctor) Manduca. Bill was educated in Old Orchard Beach schools and graduated in 1956. Following graduation Bill entered Maine Maritime Academy graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in Marine Science.
Shortly after graduation, Bill served as an officer in the Merchant Marine and the U.S. Navy. It was during this time he married Jeannine Y. Dionne of Lewiston.
Bill chose a career with the State of Maine as a Maine State Trooper, a career lasting 33 years. His service included such positions as a detective, ballistics agent, and investigator in the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Bill had a great love for music. He was a member of a very musical family playing in such groups as: the Bellamy Jazz Band, Italian Heritage Center Concert Band, the Alumni Band of Southern Maine, Monday Jazz Orchestra of Rockland, the Victory Swing Band of Yarmouth, and various bands in Florida.
He was a member of the Maine Maritime Alumni Association.
Bill married Catherine Cleaves in October of 2009.
Bill was predeceased by his parents; first wife, Jeannine Manduca; sons, Michael and Russell Manduca; and grandsons, Kyle and Tyler.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Manduca of Dresden; brothers, Theodore Manduca and wife Patricia, and Frank Manduca, both of Old Orchard Beach; sister, Mary Elizabeth Conley and husband Richard of North Carolina; sons, William A. Manduca and wife Jean of Mississippi, and Thomas S. Manduca and wife Karen of Monmouth; daughter in-law, Tammy Manduca of Augusta; and his Cathy’s children, Julie Brown and husband Paul of Winslow, William Cleaves Jr. of Liberty, Michael Cleaves of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Mark Cleaves and wife Diane of Hampden; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thurs., June 19 at Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond.
A mass of Christian burial will take place at 10 a.m., Fri., June 20 at St. Ambrose Church, Kimball Street, Richmond.
