Robert C. Manuel

NORTH OXFORD – Robert C. Manuel, 87, of Leicester Street, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Judith A. (Marr) Manuel of North Oxford; three children, Robert T. Manuel and his longtime partner Anne Stohler of Webster, Steven J. Manuel and his wife Patricia Faron of Spencer, and Julianne M. Fields and her husband Daniel of Charlton; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and one nephew.

He was born in Fitchburg, son of the late Alphonse and Margaret (Arslanian) Manuel. He was raised in Springfield and traveled extensively during his career in the military, before settling in Oxford in 1972. He graduated from Technical High School in Springfield in 1956, and received an associate’s degree from Fisher Jr. College in Worcester, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Central New England College.

Mr. Manuel served in the United States Air Force, where he did one tour in Vietnam. He received two Air Force Commendation Medals and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters. After 20 years of service, he retired. In 1983 he became the personnel director at Worcester State Hospital and retired in 1997, when he once again retired. During retirement, he was a member of the Conservation Commission in Oxford, where he served as chairman for 17 years.

Mr. Manuel raised and bred toy poodles for over 60 years. He was a member and past president of the Quinnipiac Poodle Club, and traveled extensively showing dogs from the Cotian-M Kennel Line of poodles. Though he had a fondness for poodles, he loved animals of all kinds.

He enjoyed working with leather, playing chess, and reading. He loved traveling with his wife in their R.V., and experienced many cruises, especially to their favorite island of Bermuda.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will be private at a later date at North Cemetery in Oxford. Calling hours are Friday, May 9, 2025, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford, prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Poodle Rescue CT, PO Box 188, Naugatuck, CT 06770.