Charles J. McManus, Jr. of Philadelphia and Tel Aviv, Israel, known for his skill at using antique art and furniture in interior design, died at his home in Philadelphia on December 4 of respiratory failure. He was eighty-nine years old. Mr. McManus was born on Philadelphia, educated at the Canterbury School in Connecticut, and received his degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His college education was interrupted for three years by WWII, in which he served as a member of the Coast Guard. While serving with the Coast Guard he performed the duties of pharmacist mate aboard a ship serving to detect enemy submarines off of the US coast. After the war Charlie returned to Wharton to complete his degree in economics including a year as an exchange student in Spain at the University of Madrid. Mr. McManus followed his love of art, antiques, history, society and culture by pursuing a career in interior design. He took many prestigious assignments including the Racquet Club, Philadelphia Club, the lobby of 1830 Rittenhouse Square condominiums and the Board Room of the Garden State Park Race Track. In addition he also designed the interiors of many elegant homes both locally and nationally. In his career he was actively involved in several professional societies and was a board member and president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Society of Interior Designers. In pursuing his love of music he served on the Board of Directors of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Mr. McManus's love of exotic locales, and of a grand challenge, led him to purchase and restore a former sugar plantation in Antigua BWI which he brought to a magnificent level of island grandeur. His Mercer's Creek Plantation was to be the honeymoon site for Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones until British officials suspected that the location had been compromised. Subsequently Mr. McManus granted former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden's request for the use of the plantation to write his memoir "Full Circle". In Philadelphia Mr. McManus acquired the French Embassy on Spruce Street which after their departure, he transformed it into a statement of his ability to acquire and display the perfect selection of antiques and other furnishings in proper period manor. The residence became well known for his skill as a consummate host, and his unique sense of humor. An invitation to the McManus residence became much sought after. The New York Times ran a full article in The New York Times Magazine section Entertaining titled "The New Reliables" that covered one of these events Charles McManus was quite active and regularly enjoyed playing squash, court tennis and lawn tennis. He also enjoyed traveling. Along the way he even went to Australia for spelunking. He was active with many Philadelphia organizations including The Library Company of Philadelphia, The Racquet Club, the Rittenhouse Club, the Philadelphia Club, the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Franklin Inn, Vesper Club, Philobiblon Club and in Antigua the Mill Reef Club. His passion for collecting and exploring were not limited to art and antiques. He also loved beautiful exotic automobiles and owned many unusual vehicles over the years ranging from a Fiat Topolino to an early and rare Mercedes from the 1930's. They were not always expensive, but always rare, different and interesting. This interest in the exotic was also apparent in his love of animals. At one time he tamed and kept a wild vixen fox, entertained his guests with his kinkajous, paraded his English Bull Terrier Jack around Philadelphia and showed Standard and Italian Greyhounds. Even with everything else that he was involved in; Mr. McManus was still able to open and introduce to Philadelphia, what was then a unique lady's boutique called Potpourri. His loving wife Esther Press McManus, his sons Charles K and B. Craig, stepchildren Talya Press and Daniel Press, three grandsons, and a great-grandson survive him. There will be a memorial service at the Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut Street, Philadelphia at 11 AM on Friday, December 9. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham. Arrangements by The Oliver H. Bair Co. (215) 563-1580.