Obituaries

OBIT: Beloved Local Veterinarian, Dr. Jack Mannix

Dr. Mannix has been a fixture in the area since 1982 and later bought the San Juan Animal Hospital in 1986. Pet parents around South County are mourning his loss and share memories.

Dr. Jack Mannix, 60, a beloved veterinarian who had a practice in neighboring San Juan Capistrano died Tuesday while at work. Pet parents from all over South County including Dana Point and Laguna Niguel were patients of the longtime veterinarian. 

UPDATED: At 6:26 p.m.

The San Juan Animal Hospital added this note to its Facebook page:

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Yesterday we lost an extraordinarily loving husband, father, brother, friend and veterinarian. His larger than life personality and genuine compassion for others will leave a deep void in our community and hearts. On behalf of Dr. Mannix’s family we’d like to thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time. Until arrangements have been finalized, please keep Dr. Mannix in your hearts. It comforts us to know he is being welcomed by friends both two and four legged, as he crosses “The Rainbow Bridge.”

The original story: 

Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

San Juan Capistrano lost a long-time veterinarian Tuesday when Dr. Jack Mannix passed away while at work. He was 60.

Tear-filled staffers manned the phone Wednesday morning at San Juan Animal Hospital, calling patients’ owners to deliver the heart-breaking news: Mannix had finished surgery yesterday and went to take a nap. When employees tried to wake him, he was already gone.

It was peaceful, a front office worker explained.

Mannix came to town in 1982 and bought San Juan Hospital, a fixture in town since 1965, in 1986.

“The practice is his life's dream!” reads a very personal “Meet Dr. Mannix” section of his practice’s website, filled with photos of family and his golden doodle, Rusty.

Mannix provided veterinary services for nonprofit Ark of San Juan, said spokeswoman Georgann Elliott.

"Dr. Jack Mannix was generous of spirit, and a true advocate for animals. The medical care and shelter that he provided helped rescue organizations like the Ark of San Juan save hundreds of homeless pets that would otherwise have been euthanized," she said.

"All of us are truly saddened by his passing and our sympathies and condolences go out to Jack's family and staff," Elliott said. "We will miss him immensely."

According to his website, Mannix is survived by wife Liz, and three children, Ryan, Elin and Erika and grandchildren Noah, Abram, and Joseph.

Earlier in his life, Mannix achieved both athletically and academically – graduating Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate from San Diego State University and writing a monthly article in the California Veterinary Medical Association’s journal while getting his doctorate in veterinary medicine at UC Davis.

He grew up in San Diego, where he caught the attention of then-Kansas City Athletics for his abilities at third base. But Mannix made a decision to pursue academics over sports. He passed his athletic genes on to daughter, Erika, who as a diver at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, broke most of the school’s springboard records and went to the NCAA championships.

“He was a super guy,” said OJ Gause of Farmers & Merchants Bank. “Jack was a customer of mine. … I played golf with him a couple of times. He loved to play golf.”

Friends and patients are sending messages of love through San Juan Animal Hospital's Facebook page.

We love all of our crew at San Juan animal Hospital, please know that [we] are thinking of you with much love, sorrow and true friendship. All our love.

What a wonderful vet and a great guy . . .

A very sad day today. Dr. Mannix, we love you!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Mannix was the veterinarian for Editor Penny Arévalo's two dogs.


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