HAMPTON -- George "Connie" Manix, 68, of Hampton, died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Oct. 4, 1939, in Exeter, the son of the late William and Doris (Pinkham) Manix.

In addition to his wife, the family includes children, Marie (Manix) Hanson and her fiancé, Dan Moran, both of Pembroke; Mike Manix and his wife, Michelle, of Stratham; and Rob Manix and his partner, T.J. White, of Washington, DC. In addition to his children, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Kathleen Morganelli of Yonkers, N.Y., and her daughter, Kathleen Morgan Procario of Fairfield, Conn. Mr. Manix also leaves five grandchildren, Matt, Nick, Katie, Caroline and Will; three siblings and their spouses, Bill and Jackie Manix of North Hampton, Dick and Mary Manix and Judy Churchhill, all of Exeter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, F. Jim Churchill.

WE REMEMBER: Mr. Manix's lifelong love of athletics began at Exeter High School, where he was active in sports. After high school he attended Plymouth State College, where he met his loving wife Elaine (Morganelli) Manix, of Yonkers, N.Y. They married in 1962 and settled in Hampton. That same year, Mr. Manix joined the faculty of Winnacunnet High School, where he worked for 37 years. In 1971 he received his master's degree from the University of Connecticut. During his tenure at Winnacunnet he taught physical education, coached athletics, oversaw many sporting events and in 1989 accepted the position of athletic director. He was awarded the Class L Athletic Director of the Year award in 1996 and 1999, and served as the president of the N.H. Athletic Directors Association from 1997 to 1998. He retired from Winnacunnet in 1999. Mr. Manix lived a rewarding life and was known for his infectious smile, kind and generous demeanor and fun spirit. He enjoyed golf, gardening, and sports.

SERVICES: Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. See www.RemickGendron.com for details.

HAMPTON -- The Winnacunnet High School community is grieving the loss of one of its own.

Former Athletic Director George "Connie" Manix died Thursday surrounded by his family at age 68. His former colleagues at the school remembered Manix as a respected teacher, coach, athletic director, but most of all a friend.

Manix served as the school's athletic director from 1989 until his retirement in 1999. Before that he taught physical education at the school and coached numerous sports, including track and freshmen basketball.

Don Foote, a physical education teacher at Winnacunnet, said not only was Manix his colleague and then his boss, but also his best friend. "We taught together for over 25 years," Foote said. "He was really one of my best friends and just a terrific person to be around."

Foote said Manix loved teaching athletics. "He loved being with the kids and the kids loved him," he said "We used to joke about who had the most kids in class. It was like a battle to see who had the bigger class."

Manix started his teaching career at the school in 1962.

"He was always there for the kids," Foote said. "When we had winter carnival or activities, he was the first person to help out. If they needed a last minute referee, he was the first to volunteer."

Foote recalled the many good times he shared with his friend outside the gym. The times when they went to the drive-in movie theater and the time they dressed up on Halloween to go trick-or-treating at some faculty members' homes.

"Connie and I would go out on Christmas Eve to Christmas shop for our wives," Foote said. "He would say 'have you gone yet' and I would say 'no, I got to do it tonight.' We'd go and be out to 9 at night doing our shopping for our wives.

"He was one of my very best friends and I miss him already."

Former School Board member Sue Kepner said Manix was a well respected athletic director. "He was just a personable kind of guy," she said. "He was always good natured."

Manix was selected Class L Athletic Director of the Year in 1996 and 1999. He also served as president of the state's Athletic Directors Association from 1997-98

"He was just a gentleman," said Janis Petrou, director of Student Affairs and Community Relations for Winnacunnet. "I never saw him not smiling. I'm just sorry that a lot of the new staff never got to meet such a great guy. Winnacunnet is grieving."