Obituary of Maurice Mannion-Vanover

Maurice Anthony Reed Mannion-Vanover left this world on January 14, 2011. Maurice had been visiting family and friends in the Toronto area when he became ill and was hospitalized. He struggled with pneumonia, sepsis, and acute renal failure for more than two weeks before his heart simply gave out. At the time of his death, he was with his fathers Timothy J. Mannion, Timothy Vanover and his step-father Christian Powell, who Maurice lovingly referred to as his "spare dad." Maurice was born in Washington, DC on September 11, 1990 along with his twin sister Michelle Reed. Michelle preceded him in death in 1992. Maurice came to live with Tim and Tim in 1993 along with his brother, Kindoo Mannion-Vanover. Maurice moved with his family to Montclair, NJ in 1998. Maurice attended Nishuane Elementary School, Northeast International Magnet School, Mt. Hebron Middle School and graduated from Shepard High School/Academy in Morristown. Maurice chose to continue his education at Montclair High School in 2010, and entered the Transition Program with the intent of becoming an elementary school teacher's aide. He was working two days at week at the Developmental Learning Center. Maurice led a very full life. He was a world traveler and had visited numerous locations in North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Africa. He was an avid and accomplished equestrian and his horse Rocky resided at his home in Montclair. Maurice could often be found walking in the paddocks with his horse close beside him. In addition to horseback riding, Maurice proudly achieved his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in December 2010, after several years of study and hard work with Master Isaak Epshteyn at Karate USA in Livingston. In addition to his loving fathers, Maurice is survived by his brother Kindoo Mannion-Vanover who resides in Schiedam, The Netherlands with his fiancé Yvonne Sloots. He is also survived by his step-sister Zoe Mitchell-Powell, his step-brother Ethan Mitchell-Powell both of Toronto, his grandmother, Anne Mannion of Millersville, PA, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Calling hours will be held Friday, January 21, 2011, from 7-9 pm at the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park Street, Montclair, NJ. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 73 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either: The Lake Logan Episcopal Center 154 Suncrest Mill Road, Canton, NC 28716 or The Shepard Schools, 10 Columba Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. Please indicate that your donation is for the Maurice Mannion-Vanover Scholarship Fund.