1926 – 2014

FALMOUTH—Clayton Wheeler Manson of Auburn passed away Tuesday, July 1, at Sedgewood Commons Alzheimer’s Facility.

Clayton was born in North Vasselboro on March 1, 1926, the son of Minnie Rogers Manson and Dwight Manson. He grew up in Skowhegan, graduating from Skowhegan High School in 1943.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy, becoming part of the 109 seventeen-year-old young men who formed “The Maine Victory Platoon.” After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Bunker Hill, deployed to the South Pacific.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Skowhegan and married Juliette “Honey” Delaware and began his lifelong career in the grocery business. He was employed by Sampson’s Supermarkets for several years and traveled thoughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. They later merged with Hannaford, where he became part of the management team. At that time, he and several partners formed the Future Food stores.

After retiring, he had many years of enjoyment — spending time with his family, “summering” at Spring Point Marina in South Portland, cruising the Maine and Canadian coast, and traveling worldwide.

Clayt was a very active member of the United Methodist Church of Auburn for over 49 years, a member of Rabboni Masonic Lodge No. 150 of Auburn, Valley of the Androscoggin Scottish Rite, and the Kora Shrine of Lewiston. He was past commodore of Kora Yacht Club, past commander of American Legion No. 24 and VFW Post No. 1641 of Rumford.

He was an avid skier, golfer, fisherman and yachtsman. Clayton was a diehard Red Sox and Patriots fan and was well known for his comedic qualities.

In 2003, he married the former Donna Mitchell Barr and together they became a family with eight children, several grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; sons, Barry Manson and husband, Mike Kahler, of Waterboro, and Dick Manson and wife, Charlene, of South Paris; daughters, Jane Manson and husband, Mike Grove, of Monmouth, Michele Bailey and husband, Everton, of Auburn, and Lisa Orkney and husband, Kevin, of North Andover, Mass.; stepdaughters, Sue Bolton and husband, Harold, of McArthur, Ohio, Jennifer Barr and husband, Charles Welles, of Boulder, Colo., stepson, John Barr and wife, Suza Horvat, of Santa Monica, Calif.; brother, Paul Manson and wife, Delia, of Old Orchard Beach; 18 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many extended family members.

Clayt was predeceased by his parents; wife, Honey; and grandson, Scotty.

Clayt’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the entire staff at Sedgewood Commons for his excellent care this past year.

Condolences and photo gallery at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.