The Willowick Water Show was successful in showcasing the swimming and theatrical talents of Manry Pool’s staff and lifeguards in this 2021 photo. (Submitted photo).
A resolution to rename Manry Pool the Martin E. Guzauskas Pool has gone on first reading at a recent Willowick City Council meeting.
Located at 30100 Arnold Drive, the Manry Park pool will go on second reading at the April 2 council meeting and will be voted on after the third reading April 16, according to Mayor Michael Vanni.
For 46 years, Guzauskas served the city and its residents with dedication, enthusiasm and distinction, according to council. He demonstrated a lifelong commitment to Willowick’s aquatic programs and the development of lifesaving skills.
As a lifeguard from 1977 to 1997, he organized swim programs and then as pool manager from 1997 to 2002. He was then the city’s aquatics director from 2002 to 2021.
It was in 2022 that Guzauskas died after a battle with cancer.
During the public portion of the council meeting, George Guzauskas, Martin’s brother, expressed it would be a good idea for the city to consider renaming the pool.
“He (George) said his father had a lot to do with Bob Manry, which is huge in Willowick,” said Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Malta. “He said (Manry) and his father were able to erect the sail of the boat at Manry’s house, so I thought that was neat that he shared that with us.”
Manry Pool is named after the late Robert Manry, a Willowick resident who sailed his 13-foot sloop, Tinkerbelle, across the Atlantic Ocean in the summer of 1965. The event received world attention and when Manry returned to Willowick, he was honored with a parade attended by 10,000 people, according to the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.
Also present at the meeting was a former Willowick mayor, who suggested to not name the pool after Martin, but to maybe decide on renaming Arnold Drive to Marty Guzauskas Boulevard.
The renaming of the pool was brought to council’s forefront by Recreation Director Julie Kless.
“I speak volumes for her,” Malta said. “She’s been there since day one.”
Being involved in the city as long as he has, Malta said he had the pleasure of knowing Martin.
“He was phenomenal,” he said. “He had a lot to do with starting the swim show we have every year and all our kids had swimming lessons through him, so our kids grew up at that pool.”
