Mr. Manika was very proud of his first job as a newspaper boy in Philadelphia and frequently told stories of his experience. After graduating from Central High School in Philadelphia, he worked for the Lee Tire Company. Mr. Manika was drafted into the Army during World War II and was sent to Officers Candidate School. He found military service to be a maturing and character-building experience, and he later joined the United States Army Reserves, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the time of his retirement in 1971. Later in life, he received a Bachelor's degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was employed by the United States Federal Government as a management consultant for 38 years. He won many awards for his outstanding performance in the Army and for his career in federal service.

After his time in the military and federal service, Mr. Manika had a desire to learn more about computers and to share his knowledge. He pursued graduate-level studies in computer science and was appointed professor of computer management at Peirce Junior College in Philadelphia. He became a very popular teacher and was given an award in 1989 by students of the computer club for his outstanding guidance and support as an instructor.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Manika was an excellent public speaker and founded a local chapter of Toastmasters International in 1961. He also enjoyed attending conferences on computers and education. Mr. Manika was a member of several professional organizations, including the Data Processing Management Association and the American Society of Professional Consultants. He was also a Charter Honoree in the Congressional Who's Who in Computers in 1988. As the trends of technology advanced to the Internet and cell phones, Mr. Manika embraced all of the things they brought to the world and to his life as well.

Since January 2008, Mr. Manika lived at Brandywine Assisted Living at Haverford Estates, where he enjoyed the company of his fellow residents and greatly appreciated all of the staff who provided for his comfort and care. He loved reading fiction, especially legal thrillers and mysteries, and was an avid Phillies fan.

Mr. Manika was blessed to have a rich life full of many professional opportunities. He was also blessed to have the love of his wife Marie of Haverford, his daughter Suzanne and his granddaughters Susan and Christine, all of Brookline, Massachusetts.

A funeral Mass celebrating Mr. Manika's life will be said at 11AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel, 31 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. A viewing will precede the Mass at 10AM at the church. Interment will follow Mass at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, 1600 S. Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA 19064. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are by The Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home. (610) 449-8585.