Henry Ray Mann September 19, 1934 –June 30 2007
Henry Ray Man was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 19,1934. His mother was unable to care for him and was adopted by Eddie and Bea Mann. He was raised in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and its parochial elementary school. At an early age he studied piano and fell in love with the pipe organ.
Henry attended the University of Richmond and later earned his Master of Sacred Music degree at Union Seminary in New York City.
Before leaving Richmond he was the organist and choir director at St. John’s Episcopal Church- the church where Patrick Henry made his famous “Give me Liberty or give me death’ speech at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
In New York he was organist-director in several churches and eventually formed an organ building firm in partnership with Larry Trupiano. He was greatly respected for his skill and artistry in the manufacture of and voicing of wooded organ pipes. His firm earned the confidence and respect of churches and other organ builders in the United States.
Henry retired to Trufant in 1992. Shortly thereafter he became the organist at Settlement Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Sutter. The past 14 years Henry has continued on at Settlement Church occasionally filling in at other local churches.
Henry had become a regular with the Joseph and Janet Helder family. He was an interesting conversationalist, and always the southern gentleman.
He enjoyed fishing and his regular meetings at Randy Frantsen’s kitchen with Randy and the late “Doc” Homer Petersen, devising ways to liven up the Trufant community.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Greenville on July 3, 2007 with Rev. Fr. John Kirkman as officiant. Burial was in Trufant Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul Episcopal Church or Settlement Lutheran Church.
