Earl T. Mannion

HERKIMER – Mr. Earl Thomas Mannion, age 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon, December 7, 2023, after a brief illness. His family takes comfort in knowing he is once again reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara.

Born on June 18, 1946, Earl was the son of the late James R. Mannion and Jean (Bernhardt) Zonnevylle. He was raised and educated in Elmira Heights, NY and graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 1964, proudly serving as Senior Class President.

He then went on to further his education at SUNY Geneseo, where he would meet and fall in love with his future wife, Barbara Rehbach. He graduated from Geneseo with a BS in 1968 and a Master’s in Physics in 1970. Throughout his college years he was a proud brother of Phi Sigma Epsilon, being elected to President of the Fraternity in his junior year.

On July 21, 1973, Earl and Barbara were married and began a journey of almost forty-seven years filled with love and laughter. Barbara passed away on April 30, 2021 and a piece of Earl’s heart went with her that day.

The early part of Earl’s career was spent as a Physics and General Science teacher at Frankfort-Schuyler High School where he also coached football. This tenure spanned from 1970 until 1981 when he officially retired from teaching.

It was at this juncture that Earl began his career at Sunbelt Industries of Little Falls, NY. He worked his way up and was made President of the company in 1990. Throughout his time there, Earl assembled a great team of employees and together they built Sunbelt into one of the largest loose grit industrial suppliers in the Northeast. Earl was proud of his successful career and retired in 2011.

Earl’s first and foremost priority was always the well-being of his wife, children and grandchildren. He was an amazing provider who took great strides to ensure that his family was happy, healthy and cared for. Everything he did throughout his life, he did for his family; they were truly his whole world.

Earl’s happiest of times were those spent surrounded by his beloved family. He and his wife proudly maintained a cottage on Lake Ontario, a place that has held lasting memories for the generations that followed. This spring, Earl and Barbara’s earthly remains will be reunited and scattered together at their beloved cottage; ensuring their final resting place will be one that held such joy for them in life.

Earl is survived by his son, Cory Mannion of Ilion; his daughters and sons-in-law, Casey and Robert Risi of Herkimer, Jill Thibault of Irondequoit and Molly and Brandon Ciallelo of Mohawk, and what brought him his greatest joy during his final years his grandchildren, Cade “Cade Dude” Ciallelo, August “Augster” Ciallelo, Bradi “Lady Bradi” Risi and Tiana “Big T” Thibault. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Patricia Rehbach; a special cousin, Donna Crowe of Santa Ynez Valley, CA; his in-laws, Linda Bradley and Bruce and Carol Rehbach; his nieces, Sharon Bradley and Cathy and Jason Gartland; and his great-nephews, AJ and Chad, all of Irondequoit.

Aside from his parents and wife, Earl was predeceased by his father-in-law, John Rehbach.

A Celebration of Life which will honor Earl through food and drink will take place on January 7, 2024, from 1pm to 4pm at PK’s Pub in Herkimer, NY.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition, PO Box 622, Herkimer, NY 13350 OR to the Salvation Army, ATTN: Food Pantry, PO Box 168, Herkimer, NY 13350.

Earl’s final arrangements were pre-arranged and entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com .