James C. Mangan

James Christopher Mangan, loving and beloved husband of the late Rosemarie Mangan, died peacefully at home in Bloomfield on March 29, 2021. He was 95. Born in the Bronx, New York, October 1, 1925 to James and Elizabeth (Walsh) Mangan, Jim attended Mount St. Michael Academy from first grade through high school graduation. His college career was fostered, interrupted and enriched by his service in the United States Navy: he was selected for Officer Candidate School, trained as a midshipman at Northwestern and Columbia Universities, and studied at Stevens Institute of Technology. He proudly served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, attaining the rank of Lieutenant, on USS Destroyers Fraser and Davison, and later in the US Naval Reserves during the Korean conflict, eventually stationed from Charleston to Greenland. In between, he graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and married Rosemarie Molé in 1952. It was a love affair that lasted for 65 years. A career in sales engineering took Jim from the National Gypsum Company, Long Island, to Gypsum Constructors of Simsbury and finally to Tectum, Inc.—an Ohio-based firm for which he worked from home, a pioneering tele-commuter. Jim was actively involved in Sacred Heart Parish, contributing his time as a lector and to multiple other committees. A regular attendee at Serra Club meetings and functions, after retirement Jim was a charter member of the informal “8 AM Mass Club.” He enjoyed baseball, women’s basketball and college football, devoured historical fiction and non-fiction (sometimes on a Kindle, smartphone and audiobook at once), and took deep pleasure in music, lately on YouTube: Broadway, Big Band, patriotic marches, standards, and, his secret favorite, operetta. Jim’s personal charm, humor, and delight in human interaction evoked reciprocal affection, and often deep and abiding love. The manner in which he lived—“the good fight”—inspired other people to live better lives themselves. He will be sorely missed by his children Marianne Mangan (husband Robert Levin) of New York City, James Jr. (Carolyn Krull) of South Windsor, and Diane Venora (Will Wynn) of West Hartford; grandchildren Danny, Matthew, Alyssa and Ryan Venora, and Elizabeth Mangan; and his many loyal nieces and nephews. Thanks and gratitude to Jim’s longtime caregivers, and most especially Astride Eximond, who held his hand into the next world. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 5 from 5-7 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 26 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 6 at Sacred Heart Church, with interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 30 Mountain View Avenue, Bloomfield. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to a charity the donor holds dear. Please visit us online at www.molloyfuneralhome.com with condolences or memories.