George E. Manning II, retired administrator for the University of Illinois Chicago Psychiatric Institute and longtime Austin resident with a passion for music and mentorship, died Jan. 13, leaving behind the extraordinary life he crafted and led in and outside the U.S.
A classically trained musician, Manning was especially known for the elaborate parties he hosted over the years at his grand Midway Park mansion with its own ballroom.
Saddened by the news of his passing, his friends shared their thoughts about what he meant to his community.
Thomas Walker, a longtime neighbor to Manning, lives on the corner, north of Manning’s home.
“I’ve known George for over 30 years,” Walker told the Austin Weekly News. “There are four historic structures in our neighborhood. Our house is one of them and his house is one of them and there are two others not far from our houses. George was instrumental in setting up the Austin Schock Historical Association and The Society of Midway Park. Frederick Schock was the architect who designed the four houses that are landmarks.”
Walker described Manning as outgoing and as someone who put forth effort to highlight and maintain his community and his neighborhood.
“He was very talented and had great taste,” Walker said. “I last saw him this past summer. Every year he sponsors a white party where he invites the neighbors to his house, and he would provide a guided tour of his house…and the yard parties that he had every spring. So, that has been a tradition in the neighborhood.”
Walker said Manning’s house was impressive, due to his interior design talents.
“He restored the interior of that house so that going inside was like taking a trip back over a hundred years,” Walker said. “Up in the attic is of course a ballroom for celebrations and so forth. There are stars on the ceiling. When it’s dark, it’s like looking at the sky.
George Jones another neighbor, said, “I’ve known him since he moved in. I’ve been here for 50 years. … I’ve been invited to every one of the parties he would have outside. He was friendly and welcoming. I’ve seen all the pianos in his house. I’ve seen all the changes. Sometimes it’s kind of hard to describe how he was. He was just a wonderful guy.”
Born Feb. 25, 1949 in Chicago to Jamesia and George Edward Manning Sr., he was the youngest of two children. George and his sister Mary Anna had parents who exposed them culturally, educationally, spiritually and sociologically.
A classically trained pianist and violinist, his long list of accomplishments included memberships on various cultural boards.
In 1975, following the death of his father, Manning bought the historic Victorian-style house built in 1891 by Architect Schock. Often described as a “modern-day renaissance man,” he single-handedly restored the house that was featured on Oprah, following its restoration, and recognized in numerous periodicals (Ebony, Inland Architect, Chicago Magazine, the Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and the New York Times).
Manning’s home is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, District of the Austin Community. This historic house was built 400 years after the discovery of the New World.
He was shaped by early exposure to cultures outside his own, the arts and historic events such as hearing firsthand Dr. Martin King Jr. ‘s ‘I Have a Dream Speech” in 1963.
It was said that George Sr. travelled by train with his son to the east coast where thousands gathered to hear people speak about education, segregation, and voting rights. A very young George remarked telling his father that one speaker said ‘I Have a Dream’ at least ten times already!” to which his father – who was deaf and relied on lip reading – replied, “Listen for both of us, this might be an important speech one day.”
Manning’s formal art lessons began at the Junior School of the Art Institute of Chicago at age five where he studied painting, anatomy, figure drawing, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics. He attended Joseph Medill Elementary School and graduated from Richard T. Crane High School.
His background served him well as a member of the Review Committee for the City of Chicago Arts grant program. He also pursued a post-secondary education at Ripon College of Ripon, Wisconsin, where he majored in Russian studies. George also received advanced degrees in piano performance and pedagogy from Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago.
In addition to being an accomplished musician and performer, he also composed music as well.
Manning, a retired UIC psychiatric medical research director and pipe organist, led a caroling event, always held during the third week of December. This started when his dad was terminally ill with cancer and people visited him for Christmas.
Manning remained actively engaged in education throughout his life and was proud of a select group of individuals he often referred to as his “children.” who benefited from his mentorship.
Extracurricular activities included playing the violin in an orchestra of young, gifted musicians at Northwestern University, under the direction of Maestro Isaac Stern, when Manning was just 16 years old.
He also played the piano for three U. S. presidents, including the late Jimmy Carter. He also played the organ at the Washington Cathedral, Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, the Westminster Abbey Pipe Organ (St. Peters) in London, England, and the First Congregational Baptist Church (Chicago) which has the largest Kimball Pipe Organ just to name a few.
Manning believed that everyone should have a passport and should use it as often as possible. Periodically, he would spend time traveling between his home in Glattbrugg, Switzerland (a suburb of Zurich) and Northern Africa. He also spent time in England, Italy and France just to name a few. In turn, his Swiss housemates (Swiss Airline personnel) had the luxury of calling Manning’s Chicago residence, their HOME when they vacationed in the United States.
Manning also devoted his time and energy to the leadership and membership of First Immanuel Lutheran Church, where his family has served and worshiped since 1954.
He resided in his Midway Park home with his mother until his passing.
