Joseph S. Manson

Joseph S. Manson, 92 of Torrington CT, formerly of Orleans, passed away on January 10, 2026. Joe was the son of the late John T. Manson II and Lydia Shattuck Manson and was predeceased by his sister, Lydia Earnshaw.
Joe was born in Boston, MA and summered with his family in Chatham, a place he and his family cherished deeply; eventually he moved there full-time. A graduate of The Taft School and Middlebury College class of 1956, Joe remained close with several of his classmates who were with him from prep school all the way through to college graduation. They maintained their deep connection as Sigma Epsilon brothers and enjoyed many class reunions and outings over the years.
After college, Joe enlisted and served in the United States Army from 1956-1958. Always humble, Joe was committed to serve his country and did so honorably.
Following his military service, Joe took over the operation of his father’s business - Manson Motors Sales Corp., a Ford dealership on Main Street in Chatham. He married Kathryn Hutchings in 1971 and they welcomed their son John T. Manson III in 1972 and their daughter Margaret A. Manson in 1974.
Joe loved nothing more than to go for a sail on Little Pleasant Bay in his beetlecat. Countless summer days were spent at the family beach camp on Monomoy in the early years and on his boat in the bay in the later years. All he needed was his newspaper and his tattered hat and he was sailing along towards Sipson Island.
Joe was a dedicated member of the Church of the Holy Spirit for nearly sixty years. He attended weekly services and participated in Bible studies and church governance over the years.
In his later years, Joe spent much of his time conducting a men’s group at the Orleans Senior Center, organizing discussions and activities to keep the days interesting and upbeat for everyone.
Joe is survived by his former wife, Kathryn, of Torrington, CT., formerly of Chatham, his son John, of Torrington, CT, his daughter Margaret Chung and her husband Peter Chung, of Providence, RI, his grandson, Keanu, his sister Marion Reed, his niece Tiffany Reed, and his nephews, Tripp Reed and Ted Earnshaw.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 8th, 2026 at 11:00 AM -  approx.12:00 p.m. Church of the Holy Spirit 204 Monument Road, Orleans, MA.