BREWER - Manchester “Manch” Haynes Wheeler, II, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Saturday, August 11, 2018. He was born on March 2, 1939 in Augusta, the son of the late Manchester Haynes and Martha (Fontaine) Wheeler.

Manch attended Phillips-Andover Academy, went to the University of Maine, where he met the love of his life, Sandra Van Aken. He was the star quarterback for the Black Bear football team and then went on to play professionally for the Buffalo Bills. He was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame and later inducted into the Maine State Sports Hall of Fame. Manch was one of the biggest Black Bear fans around, he was a lifetime fan and booster of all UMaine sports teams. He was everyone’s “Grandpa Wheels.”

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Sandy Wheeler. He is survived by his three children; Jay Wheeler and his wife, Sharon, Jeff Wheeler and his wife, Cindy, and Stephanie Martin and her husband, John; his six grandchildren, Gina, Chyrsta, Sam, Alexa, Zach, and Dakota and his great-grandson, Bryce; his sister Bev Carrier and her husband, Lou; his special friend Larry Burke and all of his dear friends he has made throughout the years.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Manch’s life will be held 4-7 p.m., Friday, August 17, 2018, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor. Those who wish to remember Manch in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Lafayette Family Cancer Center, c/o EMHS Foundation, PO Box 931, Bangor, ME, 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com