Eugene Frederick Manfredini

Eugene Frederick Manfredini, 81, of Sherwood, died May 16, 2011. He was born Aug. 12, 1929 to Ferdinando and Rose Manfredini in Chicago, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Rita L. Manfredini; three daughters, Deborah Manfredini of Sherwood, Rebecca (Bill) Revis of Little Rock and Catherine (Howard) Cohen of Mill Valley, Calif.; two brothers, Louis (Cristina) Manfredini and Robert (Lee) Manfredini, all of Chicago, Ill.; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Service to others was Eugene Manfredini's motto – service to country, to his community and to his family. He served 23 years in the United States Air Force; he taught social studies at Sylvan Hills Junior High School, served as a social studies coordinator for the Pulaski County Special School District, and served for eight years on the Pulaski County Special School District Board. Manfredini's accomplishments included earning a B.A. at Middle Tennessee State University, a Master's of Science in Education at University of Central Arkansas; and worked with former Arkansas First Lady Hilary Clinton on several educational projects. In addition, Manfredini was named the "Man of the Year" by the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce. One of his lifelong interests was a joy in gardening, creating beautiful home gardens wherever he lived. He worked with Santo Formica in Building bocce courts all over Central Arkansas and taught tai chi to senior citizens at the Jack Evans Senior Citizens Center in Sherwood. He was also an avid golfer and will be missed by his golfing buddies. He served on the advisory board for St. Vincent Hospital North and was a former board member of the Arkansas Heart Association. A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 19, 2011. Interment will be on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Arkansas Veterans Cemetery on Maryland Avenue in Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.