Gayle (Paw) Forbis McManus, 93, died Saturday, April 8, 2023. He was a native of North Carolina and had been a Peninsula resident for 64 years.

He was born in 1929 in Wingate, NC to Roland L. and Lessie F. McManus. After his father passed away in 1939, he went to work to support his family, including nine brothers and sisters. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea. Upon his return home, he married his late wife, Grace “Hicks” McManus in 1953. They moved to Virginia in 1958, where they raised their two children. After arriving on the Peninsula, he began a career in Heating and Air Conditioning and he is the former owner/founder of Gayle’s Service Company, established in 1981. In retirement, he volunteered with The American Cancer Society transporting patients to and from appointments.

Paw was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; eight of his brothers, sisters; and his parents.

He is survived by one sister, Sandra Hinson of Monroe, NC; his two children, James Roland McManus and Verna Gail Tilman of Smithfield, VA; as well as five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park.