Mike grew up on East Baldwin Street in Hackettstown. He was a 1980 graduate of Hackettstown High School where he played both football and basketball.  He graduated from Paul Smith College in New York State in 1984, majoring in forestry and surveying.
 

He later moved to Utah where he met the love of his life, JoAnn Nichols.  Together they moved to Arizona and then on to Texas.  Mike worked next to his wife JoAnn, at Desert Steel Co., Inc., their company based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, which installs reinforcing steel and post-tensioning for large commercial, industrial, and heavy construction projects.    The company has been responsible for many Texas projects including the New Dallas Cowboys Stadium and Headquarters, The Rangers Ball Park in Arlington, two Dallas Convention Center expansions, Airport terminals, hangars, and parking garages at DFW International Airport, Southwest Airlines Love Field, Austin Bergstrom and San Antonio Airports.  Since 1990 their company has constructed multiple headquarters buildings, hotels, high rise residential living condominiums, hospitals, clinics, schools, water treatment plants, pipeline work, highway, and multi-use facilities across the State.
 

Mike loved the Dallas Stars of NFL hockey, golfing, boating, Jimmy Buffet music, his toes in the sand, laughter, and smoking a good cigar.  He was always joking around, had stories to tell, and lived life to the fullest.  Mike’s great passion was his love of dogs.  He had a soft spot in his heart for the abandoned and neglected dogs who were in high kill shelters and on death row.  Around his work at Desert Steel, Michael and his crew volunteered at Harleys Angels Sanctuary in Florence, Texas, a nonprofit organization for rescued dogs deemed unadoptable due to temperament, age, or breed.  Mike and his men constructed cottages and runs for the dogs and found like minded people from the other construction trades to help.   Mike fostered for Rescues located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, the Midwest and on the West Coast and helped so many dogs go on to find their forever homes.  Along with his ongoing commitment to Harleys Angels Sanctuary, Mike would pick up shelter dogs, transport, vet, and volunteer for numerous other Rescues as well. 
  

In addition to his wife of 36 years, JoAnn, Mike is survived by his brother Jim (Diane) Manno of Hackettstown, NJ and his sisters, Ann (Paul) Greszczak of Hackettstown, Chris (Michael) Anzalone of Blairsville, Georgia.  and by his brothers-in-law, Jack (Barbara) Scanlon, Post Falls, Idaho, Jeff (Rhonda) Scanlon, Liberty Lake Washington, Wayne (Linda) Scanlon, Fort Worth, Texas and sister-in-law Kathleen (Richard) Zobell, Warrenton, Oregon.
 

“Uncle Mike” is also survived by his nieces and nephews John, (Amy) McConnell, Dawn, (Mike) Simonetta, Bethany Manno, Diane Manno, Teri (Matt) McClure, Lori (Dan) Greszczak, Charles (Casey) Merrell, Elizabeth (Joseph) Christian,  Andrea Rachelle (Dereck) Lorico, Alexandra (Zach) Phillips, Alan Scanlon, Michelle (Fabian) Scanlon, Jennifer (Aaron) Vidal, and Nicole (John) South, and also great nieces and nephews, JB, Moria, Michael, Jared, Ben, Ty, Madison, Alana, Talon, Mathew, Olivia, Carson, Cameron, Gabe, Adam, Jake, Jeremiah, and Marie.
 

Michael also left numerous friends both in Hackettstown and throughout Texas, especially Clint Campbell and Guadalupe Villarreal who were very close to him and are feeling the heavy pain of loss.  The family wishes to thank all of Mike’s friends for their kindness, support and prayers during this time.
 

A Mass of Remembrance will be held at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, East Springtown Rd., Long Valley, on Saturday, July 28th at 7 pm.  A celebration of Mike’s life, Jimmy Buffet style, will follow at the Columbus Club, Liberty Street in Hackettstown.
 

Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Harleys Angels Sanctuary Rescue, 6170 Highway 138, Florence, Texas  76527  https://harleysangelssanctuary.org or Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/Harleysangelssanctuary/                                                             

 

#7

July 11th, 2018 2:57 pm

Last I saw mike was at our 30th reunion from HHS. He traveled from Texas to he with us all. He was chatting, had his permanent smile and happy to be back in town. He was a cool, simple guy. A great listener.

John Ferris

#6

July 11th, 2018 8:21 am

Dear Manno family: My deepest condolences on Mike’s passing. I have such fond memories of boyhood summers on East Baldwin Street, swimming, biking, playing ball. May all the wonderful memories you’ve shared comfort you and sustain you in the coming days. Wishing you peace.

Deborah A Fatheree

#5

July 10th, 2018 9:38 pm

Love to all that loved this wonderful man.

Josh Stoppelwerth

#4

July 10th, 2018 11:52 am

To all of Mike's family & friends who loved him so dearly, I give my heartfelt sympathy and well wishes. I met Mike through Clint Campbell on a canoe trip in the Ozarks and again on subsequent trips. Mike was the kind of person that you felt like you'd known your whole life after you'd met him half an hour before. He was always smiling, making a funny joke or looking to help others out. He made everything he was a part of better, even from my very limited view. The world lost someone really amazing when Mike passed on, that is for sure. He will be greatly missed. Love to you and yours brother...

Willie Garcia and family

#3

July 10th, 2018 10:30 am

I had the honor to have worked alongside Mike on the runways at D/FW Airport in 1990. Mike was a hardworking man and I learned a lot from him working for Mike and Joann at Desert Steel. I'm proud to have been a part of the Desert Steel family from 1990 till 1998. Mike was always there to give a helping hand whenever you need it. My deepest condolences to Joann and the Manno family. Rest in peace my friend.

Diane Blake Schank

#2

July 10th, 2018 7:37 am

To the entire Manno Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was the best, I have many fond memories of him growing up and greatly regret not keeping in touch with him. We have lost a beautiful soul.

Hank Moore and Family

#1

July 10th, 2018 6:56 am

My thoughts and prayers go out to JoAnn and the family. I worked along side Mike at Desert Steel from 09/91 to 02/98. In the early days of Desert Steel Mike and Jo Ann both worked hard and a lot of long days to build the company into success that it is today. He was a great man. We had a lot of good times together. Mike was always the first one to volunteer to help you with anything you needed. Mike and Clint helped me re-roof my house one time. We had so much fun that weekend. Mike and Clint were on the roof singing Cheeseburger in Paradise. The whole neighborhood had thought we had all lost our minds. There are a lot stories like this that could be told about Mike. That's just the kind of man Mike was. He worked hard and had fun doing it. It's my honor to know you and call you my friend. I, like many others, will miss you. RIP my friend