Sidney Manes lived a life grounded in service, hard work and a strong sense of justice. A World War II veteran, he used the GI Bill and worked full time to put himself through college and law school, beginning a legal career in Central New York that lasted more than 70 years. As one of the area’s early environmental law practitioners, Sidney was known for his willingness to take on difficult cases, provide pro-bono legal services and advocate for people who needed a strong voice.
Sidney was deeply involved in his community, serving in local civic and political leadership roles and supporting causes focused on fairness, civil rights and environmental protection. Outside of his professional life, he valued spending time with family and friends, especially on the St. Lawrence River, and enjoyed tennis, theater, gardening and travel. Later in life, he met his partner, Amy Zamkoff, and the two shared a full and active life together traveling, volunteering and spending time with friends and family.
When Sidney passed away in 2025, Amy established this fund in his memory, reflecting the values that guided Sidney’s life. The Amy Zamkoff Fund in Memory of Sidney Manes provides support for the Jewish Federation of Central New York, Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, and the Food Bank of Central New York, continuing Sidney’s commitment to community, access to care and support for those in need.
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