Joseph A. Mangano

Berne- Joseph Anthony Mangano (95) passed away unexpectedly August 24, 2017 at St. Peter's Hospital. Joseph was born June 26, 1922, on the kitchen table in Little Italy in the Bronx, New York, to the late Philip and Teresa (Volina) Mangano. He graduated from Evander Childs High School at the age of 16. He went on to Fort Hays University, Kansas where he graduated with a BS in Chemistry and met his beloved wife of 63 years, Ethel Lucile Kline, who predeceased him in 2007. Joe received his MA in Curriculum Instruction from NYU. During World War II, Joe worked for Calco Chemical Co. in New Jersey researching rocket fuel retardants, so that rockets could take off without exploding. Later he served for over two years as a Naval Pharmacist Mate at Pearl Harbor and on the USS Wasp aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Joe taught elementary and high school science in Mahopac, NY for 16 years, becoming head of the science department. He also started driver's education in the state of New York, ran an adult education program, was Commander of the local VFW, a Boy Scout leader, he was in the volunteer fire department, served as President of the Rolling Greens Development Association and was a member of the Kiwanis. He also worked 16 years as the Chief of the Bureau of General Continuing Education of the NYS Department of Education. He conceived and developed learning centers for adult literacy which were adopted both nationally and internationally. He served another 16 years as a Research Associate and Project Director at SUNY Albany, researching the reorganization of 2-year colleges to accommodate non-traditional learners. Joe and Lucile bought an 1803 farmhouse in West Berne, NY where he lived for 54 years. There he continued to enjoy fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Their children are Philip Bert Mangano (deceased 2017) and wife Cindy of Eagle, ID, Robert Joseph Mangano and wife Patsy of Petaluma, CA and Tish (Lucile) Teresa Karpoy and husband Kurt of Johnstown, NY. Joe is survived by four grandchildren, Klaire E. Knapp and husband Jason, Karson M. Karpoy and wife Chelsea, Kaye E. Houtz and husband Joe and LTJG Joseph A. Mangano of the US Navy. Two great-granddaughters, Parker A. Houtz and Josephine F. Karpoy. A niece, Arlene O'Dell and husband Doug. Two nephews, Glen Muschio and wife Anja and John Muschio. His sister Carmela Muschio and husband John predeceased him. Joe is survived by his loving companion of the last eight years Ann Drennan, his best friend of 68 years Edward Logigian and many other loving friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 1PM at Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, Altamont, NY.