Flo and Jay Mann, pioneers in the western communities, recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary with an intimate family gathering in Wellington.
The couple met on a blind date in 1956 in New Jersey and married the following year. They have three children, Barry, Leslie and David.
In 1971, while on vacation, the couple discovered Royal Palm Beach, and after purchasing what was to be a holiday home, decided to relocate permanently in 1972. All three of their children graduated from Twin Lakes High School (now the Dreyfoos School of the Arts). Jay, a former stockbroker, wrote a stock market column for the Town-Crier for many years before retiring. The Manns now live in Wellington.
Sons Barry and David live in Atlanta with their families. Barry, valedictorian of his class, graduated from Harvard University and then received a master’s of fine arts degree from the University of San Diego in collaboration with the Old Globe Theater. He is an arts educator and international story teller. His wife Sheri is a filmmaker, actor, activist and college instructor. They have two sons: Tendal, 16, who is a musician, artist, photographer, actor and filmmaker; and Royce, 13, a sports enthusiast, actor, photographer and also a filmmaker.
David, salutatorian of his class, graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and received his master’s degree from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He is a partner with a New Orleans investment firm, and his wife Tara is a clinical social worker. They have two children: Rachel, 22, a graduate of the Savannah College of Design, and son Ethan, 18, a freshman at the University of Georgia.
Leslie, a political science graduate from Florida Atlantic University, left the area immediately after graduation for 28 years to pursue a career in government and politics. She attended the Nelson A. Rockefeller School of Public Affairs & Policy in Albany, New York while working for the late Gov. Mario Cuomo. She recently returned to the area and is involved in many community projects. As a volunteer, Leslie has run numerous no-kill animal rescue groups and found homes for more than 2,000 homeless dogs and cats.
ABOVE: Jay and Flo Mann with rescue dog Chrissy and children, Barry, Leslie and David Mann.
