Richard E. Mannix, who as an assemblyman in the 1970s helped defeat Robert Moses’ plan to build a bridge from Rye to Long Island,, died at his Larchmont home Monday. He was 82.
The cause was complications from congestive heart failure, said his son, Mark Mannix of Pleasantville. The elder Mannix had been battling throat cancer for about a year before his death.
Mannix, a lifelong Larchmont resident, served as a village justice from 1967 to 1971 and was elected twice to the Assembly, in 1972 and 1974, to represent the Sound shore communities.
As a freshman lawmaker, he championed legislation to block New York City planner Robert Moses from building the Rye-Oyster Bay Bridge over Long Island Sound.
Richard was born on December 18, 1928 in Boston, MA. to Arthur J. and Helen E. Mannix. He attended Chatsworth Avenue School, Mamaroneck Junior High and was a graduate of Iona Prep in 1946. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1950 and went on to serve his country proudly as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marines from 1950 to 1952. Upon his return home, he attended Fordham University School of Law in the evenings from 1952 to 1956 while clerking at the law firm of Sullivan, Donovan, Hanrahan McGovern & Lane. He was admitted to practice law in 1956, and eventually became partner of the firm until 1974 when he established the firm of Coogan, Mannix, Hicks & Aliano in White Plains.
In 1982, he became a sole practitioner. On December 5, 1959, he married Jeannine Pfeiffer at St. Augustine Church, where they were longtime active parishioners. Richard was also a dedicated and distinguished public servant. He was Larchmont Village Justice from1967 to 1971 and was twice elected to the New York State Assembly in1972 and 1974, representing the Sound Shore communities until 1976 when he relinquished his seat.
He continued his service to the people of the State of New York until 1996 as Legislative Counsel in the New York State Assembly and earned a renowned reputation as an expert in legislative parliamentary procedure, election law and ethics. In the community, Richard served as past director and/or officer of the Larchmont Community Chest, Larchmont Red Cross, Larchmont Manor Park Society, Knights of Columbus, President of the Larchmont Babe Ruth League and was a member of the Larchmont Shore Club. Richard and Jeannine were the proud parents of nine children: Helen and Dan Hartnett of Cary, NC; Jeannine and Tim Farrell of Bernardsville, NJ; Richard Jr. and Mary Mannix of Larchmont; Mark and Dominique Mannix of Pleasantville; Anne Mannix and David Korzenik of New York City; Mary Elizabeth Lynch of New Rochelle; Julia and Rick Hawn of Middlebury, CT; John and Frances Mannix of Larchmont and Edward and Jill Mannix of Little Silver, NJ. He is also survived by his 21 grandchildren.
Richard was predeceased by his wife, parents, brother, Dr. Arthur J. Mannix, and son-in-law James Joseph Lynch.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday and Thursday 5-8PM at the John J. Fox Funeral Home, Inc., Larchmont. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 10:00AM at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to: The Padre Pio Homeless Shelter, PO Box 55, Larchmont, NY10538 or Calvary Hospital Hospice, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461. Special thanks to his caregiver Pauline Edwards and Calvary Hospice.
