Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports with a heavy heart that retired Police Chief Michael McManus passed away on Thursday morning at age 80.

Chief McManus joined the Winthrop Police Department as a Reserve Officer on Oct. 27, 1966, and became a Permanent Full-Time Officer on Feb. 26, 1968.

He became a Sergeant on June 2, 1983, and served in that position until his subsequent promotion to Lieutenant on March 14, 1988. McManus served as Acting Chief twice - from Jan. 31, 1995, to July 26, 1995, and from July 1, 1999, to March 13, 2000 — before becoming permanent Chief of Police on Dec. 26, 2000.

"Chief McManus was a gentleman many of us learned from as we came on the job as new Reserves or Officers," said Chief Delehanty. "He served honorably for 38 years protecting and educating the citizens of the Town of Winthrop, and for that, we thank him and his family for their support and sacrifices."

Chief McManus is survived by his wife, Fran, and his children, Maureen, Debby, Michael, Paula, Thomas, Sherry, Joseph, and Kim, and 15 grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held in the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, (St. Michael the Archangel Parish) at 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Thursday 10 a.m.