Bob McManus, a prominent and impartial voice at the New York Post for over ten years, passed away Saturday at New Langone Hospital. He was 81 years old.
A longtime post employee, McManus dedicated 29 years to the paper, with his last 12 years spotlighting government waste, public and private corruption, and various forms of hypocrisy that evoked “the pain of his withered gaze.”
“He was a true journalist,” noted Fredric U. Dicker, former State Editor of the Post.
McManus passed away just three days shy of his 82nd birthday, due to complications related to bile duct cancer, as confirmed by his family.
Born in Buffalo, Robert Lovell McManus Jr. was the eldest of nine children to Robert L. McManus Sr. and Janet Manning. His father, a decorated reporter at an Albany newspaper, introduced him to journalism at a young age.
“Bob reminisced about working with his father on Saturdays,” shared his 24-year-old wife, Mary McManus. “The newspaper profession was in his blood.”
McManus grew up in Binghamton and relocated to Albany after overcoming polio at age 12. He graduated from Vincentian Institute High School, where his own admission indicated he was “not academically” inclined, according to his wife.
His work ethic was evident early on; while attending high school, he held a full-time position managing the “Pets and Plants” section at WT Grant Department Store.
After graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served for four years, first on the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. and then the submarine USS Sablefish. He took pride in his stint in the esteemed “silent service” and was affiliated with the NYC base of US Submarine Veterans.
Returning to Albany, he started as a copy boy for the Morning Times Union while attending Siena College to pursue journalism.
He quickly advanced to become an award-winning investigative journalist, uncovering corruption in areas like snow removal and Medicaid, among other topics.
Ej McMahon, a longtime friend and an associate fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, described McManus’s writing style as a “Pithy blend of Damon Runyon, Raymond Chandler, and Red Smith.” He added, “He was the last of a dying breed in journalism—an old-school, no-nonsense reporter dedicated to accuracy and fairness.”
In the 1970s, he served as City and Project Editor for an Albany paper, and in 1984, Dicker convinced him to head to Manhattan to join the editorial page of the New York Post. He was appointed Editorial Page Editor in 2000.
Dicker remarked that McManus “always pursued the truth and never let his personal biases or sarcasm hinder his investigative efforts.”
In the weeks leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks, McManus expressed through editorials that Washington had overlooked the escalating threat posed by al-Qaeda. Even with Ground Zero still ablaze, he felt the need to delay his wedding for a month, according to his successor, Mark Cunningham, current editor.
“Bob was a consummate professional. He was a sharp, classic dresser, an avid reader with a flair for crafting compelling lines. He genuinely cared for the truth and shared it generously.
He especially voiced his opinions on George Pataki’s 12-year governorship, and his wife recounted how occasionally, while writing editorials about state policy issues, he would poke fun at Pataki by inserting “someone, blah, blah,” into his commentary.
“Bob had a fondness for politicians,” said Mary McManus. “He found them captivating, regardless of their political affiliation, and many regarded him as fair even when he critiqued them.”
Longtime Post editor and columnist Steve Cuozzo referred to McManus as the “Irish Rabbi.”
“He was familiar with all the prominent figures in Albany, including Nelson Rockefeller, and his extensive knowledge of government informed all his writings and analyses,” he stated.
“His experience on US Navy submarines instilled in him a profound sense of strength and discipline, but he was also a kind-hearted and resourceful individual cherished by his colleagues.
Even after retiring, McManus never truly left the Post; he continued contributing with insights and opinions. He often remarked, “I think I can handle that,” and embraced the challenge. Staff reported he would follow up 15 minutes later to inquire, “I did quite well, do you have more space?”
His last piece for the New York Post, published in March 2024, critiqued the decision to deploy National Guard troops into the city’s subway system, labeling it a “political stunt meant to distract from addressing the underlying issues” associated with rising crime.
“His life was filled with intrigue,” stated Mary McManus.
In addition to his wife, McManus is survived by his daughter Kathleen McManus, three sisters, and four brothers.
The family intends to hold a memorial service to celebrate his life next month.
