Thomas Morris Mancini

Captain (ret.) Thomas Morris Mancini (aka Joker) of Seaside passed away on June 30, 2025, in Monterey, California with his family by his side. He was 86. He had a wonderful sense of humor and left his family with a legacy of love and laughter. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was born on July 9, 1938, in Providence, Rhode Island. The oldest child of Erasmo and Mary (Morris) Mancini, he had two siblings, Mary (deceased) and Paul. He graduated from Colt Memorial High School in 1955 and attended University of Rhode Island where he met Merrilyn Joyce Stamp. They married in 1957 and had five children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1957. His enlisted assignments included tours of duty at Fort Dix (NJ), Camp Zama Japan, and Fort Rucker (AL), followed by graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation from Airborne and Heavy Weapons Platoon Leader schools, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in the Republic of South Vietnam. From 1966-67, he was Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader with the 1st Cavalry and from 1969-1970 he was a Tactics Advisor with the Republic of Vietnam at Thu Duc near Saigon. After graduation from the Infantry Officers’ Advanced Course at Fort Benning in 1971, he was assigned to Fort Ord, California until his retirement from the Army in 1978. His military honors included a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with Valor Medal, the Presidential Valorous Unit Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

He received a BA in political science (1975) and an MA degree in public administration (1978) from Golden Gate University. After his military retirement, he sold insurance, managed an auto transmission shop, worked as a civilian contractor with the Saudi Arabian National Guard, worked in the City of Marina’s Public Works Department and was City Manager of San Juan Bautista (1988-1992). He was a substitute and independent study teacher for Monterey Peninsula Unified School District from 1992-2003.

Thomas proudly served on the Seaside City Council from 1994 to 2010 and was Mayor Pro Tempore from 1999 to 2001. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to Italy to reconnect with his extended family there. He was a polyglot who spoke at least five languages.

He is survived by his wife, Merrilyn; his brother, Paul (Joann) Mancini of Rhode Island; children, Christine (James) Wood, Robin Mancini, Linda Null, Michael (Danica) Mancini, Mark (Suzanne) Mancini and adopted niece, Penny Stamp; grandchildren, Shealynn (Darryl) Kriner, Shelby Wood, Eric Null, Jennie (Aaron) Kiefer, Madison (Adam) Stiles, Matt and Ryan Rockwell, Brittney and Jadyn Mancini; great-grandchildren, Brixton, Nolan, Cora and Juniper; brother-in-law, Paul (Jacqueline) Stamp and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff of Cypress Ridge Care Center for their love and kindness in caring for Thomas in his final days.

A service with military honors will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, CA. A Celebration of Life will follow at noon at Park Lane, 200 Glenwood Circle, Monterey, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Thomas’s memory to Veterans Transition Center of California (vtcofcalifornia.org) or any Veterans’ organization.