Gabriel and Virginia Manning - Family History written in 1977

The words that are penned upon the next few pages (family Book of Remembrance) will share some of the hi-lights that filled the lives of Gabriel Manning, Jr. and Virginia Martins De Santos.

To begin we will explore the life of Gabriel.

On April 25, 1916, a Tuesday, at 8:00pm, Gabriel and Emilia Manning became the proud parents of their first-born son. Keeping with tradition, they bestowed the name of Gabriel Manning, Jr. on the precious babe. Gabriel was to be only one of ten children. The Manning family was blessed with eight daughters and two sons.

The Mannings selected 482 Mililani Street, Hilo, Hawaii for their home. It has been their home since 1923 and at the time of this writing, 1977, the original family home still stands. That humble home has had many experiences shared within its walls. The Manning home over the years has been a “refuge” for many. People were always welcome – a place to sleep, food to eat and comforting too!

Gabriel received his formal education in Hilo. He attended Kapiolani Elementary School, Hilo Intermediate School and graduated from Hilo High School in 1935.

Gabriel followed in the footsteps of his father in name and a warm and friendly personality, but made a name for himself as an athlete.

He was involved in competitive sports since the age of eleven! His first association was with the “Lincoln Wreckers” in a barefoot football league. Besides football, Gabriel was involved in bicycle racing, rowing, skating, basketball, boxing and just about any other sport that provided fun and excitement.

Being very active in various sports, Gabriel won acclaim to recognition in several areas. Some of the outstanding ones were:

1) On July 4, 1934, Gabriel won a sterling silver medal for the Bicycle Race championship around the Island of Hawaii. Prior to his entry in the race, Gabriel and a friend spent 3 ½ days touring the island of Hawaii on their bikes! That was quite a fete since the island of Hawaii covers approximately 200 miles! The scenery was beautiful and the saw so much of the island. Upon their return to town, a bicycle race was going on in Hilo town, so naturally Gabriel got involved and captured the championship.

2) As an oarsman, Gabriel was also outstanding. He rowed for the Hawaii Rowing Club at 17 years of age. The nickname given to this kid crew was the “Million-Dollar Crew” because as a crew they coordinated things so well and were truly champions.

As a child, Gabriel practiced his rowing in a cardboard box, but on July 4, 1935 his million-dollar crew” won a bronze medal in competition. So all of his training in that cardboard box paid off!

3) During the years 1935-1937, Gabriel spent time in Waimea on the island of Hawaii. This was when he got involved in the sport of boxing. Needless to say, he again rose as a champion. Gabriel was the Welter Wight Champion of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camp on Waimea.

During his reign as champion, he had as a contender his cousin. Certainly that was a difficult fight. No doubt Gabriel won but did he get a reprimand from his mother when she found out that he fought with his cousin. Grandma Manning was always such a loving and warm woman and very family oriented.

At this time also, Gabriel got involved in basketball and the members of his team were recognized as the “heroes of Waimea.” The team was just overflowing with talent.

It was through the sport of basketball that Gabriel made his first airplane trip to Honolulu. They participated in competition there.

4) While boxing for the Eagles Boxing Club, Gabriel was made an offer to fight professionally. People who scouted him felt he was a natural champ. However, because of injuries, a change of attitude and advice from his doctor, Gabriel declined the offer and retired from the ring.

From the few events that have been mentioned, we can readily see that Gabriel did indeed make a name for himself as an athlete and champion.

As a youngster, Gabriel filled his life with sports and also hard work. Hard work involved delivering newspapers in all kinds of weather and working in the family taro patch under the supervision of his dad.

However, there was still much to look forward to in Gabriel’s life. In 1939 he became acquainted with the woman he would spend the rest of his life with – Virginia Martines de Santos.

Virginia – commonly called – Jean, was born on October 23, 1919 in Pepeekeo, Hawaii. The exact spot of her birth was Pepeekeo Hospital. Jean was also blessed with a large family.

Her parents, Manuel and Virginia, built a family of 7 sons and 7 daughters. Jean followed the footsteps of her mother in name and personality also – warm, shy and family oriented.

Jean was educated at Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School and graduated from Hilo High School in 1939.

Jean was raised in a very reserved and disciplined home. Each child was assigned a chore. Jean’s assignment was to clean the house. Everything was always orderly and neat. This experience and training was carried with her when she became a mother.

Jean had a very restrictive social life and therefore, most of her time was spent developing basic homemaking qualities.

One of her strongest talents was sewing. She sewed all of her clothes and always looked well. She also had very good posture and while in school was selected to be the model of good posture in all classes.

Both Gabriel and Jean loved to dance and that was the beginning of their relationship. They met at a dance and courted each other for about a year and were married on Nov. 16, 1940. They were married at Haili Church in Hilo, Hawaii by Reverend Moses Moku.

As newlyweds they were able to realize the dream of owning their own home. They were given a portion of the Manning estate and set up house at 466 Leilani Street, Hilo, Hawaii.

Over the years this house developed into a home with the birth of three children: The first, Theron, was born on May 22, 1941; Second, Barbara, was born on Dec. 21, 1942; and third, Gaylene, was born on Aug. 18, 1950.

Not only did Gabriel and Jean raise three fine children but also developed themselves as individuals.

Gabriel continued outstanding as a leader. His interest turned from sports to politics, PTA’s, and church activity.

For 17 years, Gabriel served as a union leader in various positions. In 1947 he was a unit leader for the ILWU and attended a convention in San Francisco. 1948-49, Gabriel was the PTA president for Kapioloani. Being a very aggressive, naturally the PTA was active. They got involved in many projects.

Of the most significant events was an auction that was held for the purpose of getting better and sufficient lighting for the school.

Gabriel was the auctioneer and in 4 hours he raised, $4,000 – how’s that for the gift of gab!

Gabriel worked in the MIA for many years and served on two bishoprics as a first counselor. He is now a high council member and an advisor to the Young Adult and Institute Programs.

Jean was baptized a member of the Mormon Church after her marriage and birth of three children on Dec. 30, 1950. She has involved herself in the MIA, Primary and Relief Society Programs. She is presently serving as a secretary in the Relief Society.

On September 3, 1969 Gabriel and Jean were sealed for time and eternity in the Hawaii Temple. Since then they have visited the Oakland, Salt Lake and Washington, D.C. Temples.

Another dream was realized in Dec. 1969. They attended the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena California.

Jean had won a trip for tow to the Rose Bowl in a Downtown Merchants Contest. They went royally. They stayed at the Mayflower Hotel and attended all of the events. The football teams vying for the crown was USC vs. Michigan. This was a trip well deserved by hard working people like Jean and Gabriel.

All his life Gabriel worked hard to support his family by working as a crane operator for Hilo Iron Works. He stared with the company on Oct. 28, 1940. To this date he has been there 37 years!

Meanwhile Jean has raised 3 children, maintained a home, managed the family budget and quietly supported her husband.

Jean and Gabriel are now entering the retiring years. Their three children are married and have families of their own. The posterity has grown to six grandsons and one granddaughter.

So now they are preparing for retirement and enjoying some of the luxuries that they sacrificed while raising their family.

They have had many opportunities to travel across the United States and visit with their families.

In 1976 Gabriel had the opportunity of baptizing his first grandson, Theron, and blessing his first granddaughter, Nicole.

In 1977 they attended a family reunion of the Manning Family in Maryland. Gabriel, Jean, and their three children were in attendance along with Gabriel’s one brother and 6 sisters.

When not travelling, they keep in touch with their children through letters and the telephone.

So as we have briefly touched on some of the highlights in the lives of Gabriel and Jean we see individuals that have devoted the major parts of their lives to family, church, and community.