Carl Manoogian, area World War II veteran, dies at 96

by Tina Cole-Mullins

Memorial Day will be a time of sadness and grieving in Stockbridge following the recent loss of another member of America’s Greatest Generation.
Carl Manoogian, who had been one of the few remaining World War II veterans in the Stockbridge area, died Sunday, May 21, only eight days before Memorial Day. He passed away at his home on Williamsville Lake with his beloved wife Dorothy by his side. He was 96.
“He was surrounded by family and friends,” his granddaughter Christina Spence said. “He was a great man and will be very missed.”
Manoogian, of Gregory, was a proud member of Stockbridge American Legion Post 510 who took great pride in marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade.
In a November 2021 Stockbridge Community news article, Manoogian talked about his life and wartime service for a Veterans Day story.
Monoogian was drafted just before his 18th birthday in November 1944, according to the SCN article. He completed basic training at Fort Lewis in Washington state and was sent overseas.
He was stationed in Regensburg, Germany, where he was quartered “in normal houses in rows, just like these,” he said.
“We didn’t get put in battle, our time came near the end of Hitler’s reign,” Monoogian said. “I was trained as a field medic.”
During his time in Germany, he once toured a makeshift morgue where he saw firsthand the results of war.
“All I could think about were these young boys my age and their mothers. What would she think of seeing her son like this?” he said, as if thinking of his own mother at the time.
He also had the opportunity to tour Hitler’s vacation home, The Berghof (Eagle’s Nest), located in the Bavarian Alps. Eva Braun, Hitler’s longtime companion who became his wife, was hidden away at the mountain retreat.
After his discharge, Manoogian returned to Detroit and worked in manufacturing. During this time, he met his wife Dorothy.
A sweet, joyful, yet very humble man, he still spoke with such love and affection for his wife, that you might think they were courting sweethearts.
“Meeting her is where my story truly starts, make sure you put that in there!” he adoringly added, with a gesture toward his wife. “We’ve been married 71 years (at that time), that’s something to be proud of.”
He couldn’t fathom an article about him without her included, even if it was for Veterans Day to honor him for his service. In his eyes, “who am I? I am nothing special. It’s all her!” he said. Dorothy tried playfully shushing him by saying, “she doesn’t want to hear all that.” He would have nothing of it and went on to tell his story.
The Manoogians began camping in the Gregory/Unadilla area in the mid-’50s and eventually built a home on the hill above Williamsville Lake, where they would spend their lives.
In January, his family requested birthday cards be sent in honor of his 96th birthday. The community did not disappoint and he received many cards to brighten his day.
Carl Manoogian is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 73 years, four children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. May 30 and the funeral service is set for 7 p.m. May 30 at Phillips Funeral Home in South Lyon. Interment in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, with full military honors, will follow at 2:30 p.m. May 31.

Author’s Note: It was an honor to have met this man. My gratitude goes out to you and all those who have served, serving and will continue to serve.

Photos provided Manoogian Family

Carl and Dorothy Manoogian began coming to the Gregory/Unadilla area in the mid ’50s, camping on the hill above Williamsville Lake.

Carl displays birthday cards he received from the community for his 96th birthday in January.

Carl Manoogian marches in the annual Memorial Day Parade.

Carl Manoogian holds cards he received for his 96th birthday in January.

Carl Manoogian, a proud member of American Legion Post 510 in Stockbridge, is ready for the annual Memorial Day Parade.