Gary A. Manso, 81

SANBORNTON — Gary A. Manso, 81, died on April 17, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, and two precocious Parson Russell pups.

Gary grew up on Long Island, and upon graduation from high school was accepted to The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. At the same time, he was drafted, but granted a deferment. After graduating from Wharton, the U.S. Army saw fit to draft him again. From basic training, he attended Officer Candidate School, where he volunteered for everything from Green Berets to Army Rangers. Since he had perfect vision, the Army sent him to flight school.

Gary became a helicopter pilot flying Hueys and Cobra Gunships in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in aerial combat, the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in combat zone, and the Air Medal eight times for meritorious achievement in aerial flight, as well as several others medals during six years of service.

Capt. Manso was a proud combat veteran and strongly supported the Veterans Administration’s “Million Veteran Program,” the largest bio-repository of veteran data looking at how genes, military experiences, and toxic exposures affect the health and wellness of veterans.

At the end of the Vietnam War, Gary used the GI Bill to attend law school, which enabled him to launch a successful legal career that spanned four decades. To this day, and to the best of our knowledge, there are at least three of Gary’s cases — won at the New York State Appellate Court level — that are binding precedent where past judicial decisions act as guiding authority for future cases.

Voted “Best Lawyer” in the Best of Long Island 2011 survey, Gary retired several years later. His more recent escapades included cruises to far-away places, such as Antarctica and Australia, mountain biking, downhill skiing, scuba diving, and agility-course training with the dogs.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests a contribution in Gary’s name to one of the organizations he felt strongly about, VoteVets.org, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and Agent Orange Research, LLC.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.