Richard D. Mannon, 93, of Raritan Township, N.J., passed away on September 7, 2020, at his home, East Lynne Farm.

A lifelong resident of the Flemington area, Mannon was born in Trenton, N.J. on October 17, 1926, the son of the late Russell and Helen Bourgart Mannon. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations during the Philippine Liberation.

For 67 years, he was a longtime Flemington area businessman. He owned and operated Mannon Excavating & Paving Company, Rich-Hil Transportation, R&H Truck Parts and Service, Flemington Bituminous Corp., and East Lynne Farm.

Mannon loved Standardbred racehorses. He was a member of the USTA and bred and raced Standardbreds more than 60 years, starting with ponies in the 1960s and 1970s.

He hosted races for the New Jersey Fair circuit at his farm, East Lynne. He was a perpetual contributor to the harness racing industry in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, buying and raising yearlings to compete in all three state’s sire stakes programs. He still owned three horses until his death.

He was a member of the 200 Club; Flemington Elks Lodge #1928; and Flemington American Legion Post 159. He was active in his support of the Raritan Valley Youth Center and was a member of the Flemington Presbyterian Church.

His wife of 68 years, Hilda Ruple Mannon, passed away in December 2018, and his sister, Lucie Sheets, passed in 2010.

Mannon is survived by his daughters, Dianna (Matteo) Liberto, Vivian, Kathleen (Dean) Holcombe and Brenda (Joseph) Patnick; grandchildren, Mathew (Erin) Liberto, Brian (Marin) Liberto, Caitlyn Liberto, C. Ashley Holcombe, Allyson Holcombe, Amanda (Brandon) Kania, Tara Boszczuk and Tammy Boszczuk; and great-grandchildren, Cecilia Liberto, Abigail Liberto and Matteo Liberto.

A drive-by memorial was held on Friday, September 11 from 4-7 p.m. at East Lynne Farm, 173 River Road, Raritan Township, NJ. Visitors had the opportunity to drive around the East Lynne Farm horse track to pay their respects.

There was a calling hour on Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at East Lynne Farm, 173 River Road, Raritan Township, N.J. Funeral services followed at noon at the same location. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Ringoes, N.J., under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main St., Flemington, N.J. Mask wearing will be mandatory.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 215 Route 31 South, Flemington, NJ 08822 or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste 1509, New York NY 10018.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Richard Mannon.

(USTA)