Leonard “Lenny” or “Len” Watt Manz, 84, of Homosassa, Florida, passed away on February 17, 2023, at home after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., to Leonard and Shirley Manz on October 6, 1938.

Lenny grew up in Newtown, Conn., the oldest of six, and was thought of as the ringleader by his four brothers. Often looked upon as the activity chair on those days when the boys found themselves sentenced to the outdoors, he was known to create games that kept his brothers occupied and entertained. Tubing adventures down the river are a fond memory of the brothers. Lenny, the self-appointed brothers’ keeper, would set off first to allow for “brother catching” at the waterfall. As his brother Earl affectionately recalls, “He always caught us.” Len’s sister joined the family much later and while she was significantly younger, she will always remember her eldest brother’s kind heart, laughter, and willingness to always lend a hand.

After graduating from Newtown High School in 1956, he went on to serve in the United States Navy as an Electrician Technician Third Class, serving the majority of his time on the USS Corry. Commended on more than one occasion for “unselfish devotion to duty and your ship, in the finest tradition of the Naval Service,” Len looked back on his time serving his country with pride and gratitude and regaled many a story of his adventures and antics on the destroyer he called home.

After his honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Lenny joined Data Control Systems where he managed Quality Control. While he excelled during his time at DCS, he was independent at heart and the company’s 70’s relocation presented Len with the opportunity to start his own business. Leaning on music familiarity and tradition: Mint Condition’s Music & More was born. Len created a respected piano refurbishing, tuning and moving business that he operated with his son Michael until his retirement in 2007.

Len resided in Southbury, Conn., with his wife until 1999, when they came upon a house they couldn’t live without while vacationing in Florida. After officially moving to Florida, Len enjoyed puttering around his shop, planting and cultivating his garden, spoiling his animals, and playing cards with friends. He especially loved pinochle, a longtime family tradition that continues on.

Len was vocally proud of his children, cherished his time with his grandchildren, and made annual visits to his home state to stay connected with his extended family. Len will be remembered for his strong baritone voice, his Sinatra rendition of “My Way,” and his love of karaoke. He freely shared his love of the outdoors and the importance of respecting it, possessed an eagerness and desire to teach others, and relished in sharing his words of wisdom, even his unconventional ones. He enjoyed the peacefulness of fishing, the keenness of poker, and the speed of motorcycles. He learned by doing, possessed the ability to fix anything either the old fashioned way or simply trial and error, and refused to hire an expert when he could fix it himself. He possessed a work ethic like no other, was a protector of all in his presence, and with intensity instilled values in his children, shaping them to be solid contributors to their family and their communities.

Len easily made friends, young or old, supported organizations and individuals with his time and was remembered warmly to his family by many who recognized the Manz name: Eagle Scouts from his Scout Leader days of the 60s, guiding young men on two-week backwoods canoe trips in Northern Maine and Canada. Grateful individuals, once young teenagers who participated in day-long ski adventures to Vermont and Massachusetts, and acquaintances throughout the state who engaged with him through his interim Pepperidge Farm truck driving or piano moving days.

Lenny is survived and missed by his wife of 53 years, Lynda Manz, of Homosassa, Fla; their son, Michael Watt Manz, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Homosassa, Fla; his three children from his first marriage, Leonard James Manz of Woodbury, Conn., Michele Manz Barnes and her husband Phil of Washington, Maine; and Arthur Eugene Manz and his wife Laura of Southbury, Conn.; nine grandchildren, Leonard James Manz, Leah Cristine Manz, Richard William Schnitzel, Kenneth John Schnitzel, David Hudson Manz, Morgan Grace Manz, Amber Mary Wiggins, Kora Ann Manz, and Michael Watt Manz; seven great-grandchildren, Leonard James, Landon Frederick, Lorelai Hadley, Aubriegh Elizabeth, Warrick Orion, Odin John Paul, and Moxlina Roslyn; his brothers, Russell Manz and his wife Pam, Bob Manz, and Earl Manz and his wife Peg; his sister, Marie Manz-Lavalla; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to attend Lenny’s Celebration of Life. For Lenny’s Florida friends and family at the Homosassa Civic Club on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 1 to 5 pm. For Lenny’s northeast friends and family, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 1 to 5 pm, at the Southbury Fire House.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the organizations that supported Lenny including the following: Hospice and Palliative Care, hospicecare.com, and American Cancer Society, cancer.org.