Warren Edward Manter

SIDNEY – Warren Edward Manter of Sidney, Maine and Byfield, Mass. left his camp for the last time Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 to join his beloved wife Iva again; a little late as always.Warren was born on Oct. 24, 1929, in Sidney to Seldon and Inez (Chase) Manter, the youngest of four boys, and older brother to sister Ruby. Growing up on the farm, Warren learned work at a young age, handling barn chores before and after school, helping tutor other students in a trigonometry class he requested be offered at Williams High School.After graduating Valedictorian from Williams in 1947, Warren left Maine for the promise of a lucrative career at the GE Plant in Lynn, Mass. It was on a road in Saugus that Warren picked up the love of his life, walking shoeless down the road. After only a short time working in the large plant, Warren knew he had bigger aspirations as he was planning a life with his fiancé Iva Walls. He began tinkering on trucks and equipment, eventually finding steady trucking work with life-long friend Roy Bacon. Warren and Iva were married in 1950 and welcomed their first son Dale a year later. Sons Ed and Barry grew the family in 1953 and 1955. In 1958, as Warren and Iva prepared to welcome their first daughter, Cindy, Warren decided to branch out on his own and hauled his first load of gravel under his new company, Warren E. Manter Co., Inc. in Saugus, Mass. Warren soon added another truck and then a backhoe and cable excavator to his fleet. In 1962 daughter Diane made the Manters a family of seven in a large house on Walnut Street in Saugus. The family would pile up in the beach wagon on weekends to return to the family camp on Messalonskee Lake, on property in Sidney where Warren’s father had farmed and harvested maple syrup. Warren would continue to grow his business through the next several decades, employing all of his children and eventually most of his grandchildren.In the late 1970s, Warren and Iva purchased Fatherland Farms in Byfield. Most of the adult children moved to the property, and in 1981, Warren and Iva built a new house on the Central Street frontage of the farm. At this time, Warren also moved his company from Saugus to Popes Lane in Danvers where Manter Co., Inc. is still doing business as well as expanding an operation in Sidney, still doing business as Manter Construction of Maine.Warren and Iva would excitedly welcome each of their nine grandchildren from 1974 to 1998. Warren and Iva built a vacation home on a fly-in community in Wellington, Fla. where they would welcome family and friends. Warren would work from sun-up to sun-down on a job site and would continue to review plans and estimate jobs well into the night hours. He was very involved in his communities serving on numerous boards and committees. Iva would patiently keep dinner warm while Warren took one more call.Warren was appointed by friend and Governor Francis Sargent to the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission where he served from 1970 until the commission expired in 1975. Warren served on the Board of Directors for Saugus Bank and Trust starting in the early 1970s. In the 90’s early 2000s Warren served on the Recreation Committee for the Town of Newbury, where a youth recreation field complex on Central Street was named in his honor. He was a Mason and a member of the Lions Club and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Work Hard, Play Hard was a favorite saying and a way of life for Warren, though his idea of play often revolved around work. Warren loved to watch his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren enjoy the fruit of his labor, on the lake, or vacationing to the Florida house, but also taught them hard work and strong family values.Warren was a family man, but his family extended far beyond his doors or his blood. Anyone who ever worked for or with Warren knew they were part of his family and knew that they could count on Warren to help them in any way he could. Warren also loved to fly, like both his older brothers. He started flying to get a leg up in business, being able to fly bids into cities a few hours away or chase down parts to keep his equipment running. Warren became a well-respected and accomplished pilot, leading to his appointment to the Commission as well as being requested to fly Governor Sargent on numerous occasions. Warren was a daredevil pilot, and he flew big planes fast. He would fly in any and all conditions, buzzing the lake on the way to camp close enough to leave ripples in the water and scare fishermen out of boats, or overtake 737’s on approach to Logan. Pictures hanging on his wall show his Navajo parked on the frozen water of Messalonskee Lake in the winter. Warren would pass over the yoke to anyone who showed an interest in flying, sometimes taking a short nap only a few minutes into a lesson.As Warren and Iva began to welcome great- grandchildren, Iva began to coerce Warren away from work and down to Florida for longer durations. They sold the Wellington house and bought an RV to enjoy quieter years together. Iva’s health began to decline, and in 2012 Warren lost his wife and his best friend. They had been married for 62 wonderful years. Warren, now in his 80’s continued to work at his company and live independently, close to his family as he always had. Into his early 90’s Warren was still active in his company and building spec houses in a development he had started in the 1970’s in Oakland. Time caught up with Warren and he was bushed. Two weeks before his 92 birthday, he decided he had made his patient wife wait long enough, and he took his last breaths in the place he loved, looking over the lake he was raised on. Warren was the patriarch of his entire family, and a respected friend, business man, and generous member of several community organizations.Warren was predeceased by his wife Iva; brothers Willis, Donald, and George; son-in-law Dean Wade; and many close friends and relatives. Warren is survived by his sister Ruby Easton; sons Dale and wife Margaret (Peggy) Manter, Ed and wife Ann Manter, and Barry and wife Jeanie Manter; daughters Cindy Wade and Diane Manter; grandchildren Eddie and wife Jen Manter, Kelly McFadden, Wendy Manter, Tim Wade, Matt and wife Abby Manter, Chris and wife Jen Wade, Catie and husband Chris Perry, Stacey and husband Steve Zubiel, and Jackson Manter; 14 great- grandchildren; and many extended family, employees, friends, colleagues, and customers who cared deeply for Warren. Visiting hours will be held at Wheelers Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. and again on Friday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Warren will join Iva in their final resting place at the Sawtelle Cemetery on the Pond Road in Sidney immediately following on Oct. 15. The family requests that anyone in attendance at the services follow all current health recommendations. Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St. Oakland, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.In lieu of flowers,the family requests that donations be made to:Barbara BushChildren’s Center or:The Children’s Tumor Foundation or:any local program that helps bring a smile to a young child