Richard Mangan

Naugatuck - Richard Mangan, (94), peacefully departed this life on August 28, 2019. Richard was a devout husband and father, a loving grandfather, a good friend, and a proud WWII veteran.

Richard was born on August 3, 1925 in New Haven, CT to the late Edward William Mangan and Elizabeth Cummings Mangan. He was predeceased by his wife, Madeline Gargonia, his brother, Edward, and sister, Rose Mangan Jackson. He is survived by his two sons, Richard Mangan and daughter-in-law, Monica, of Tucson, AZ and Robert Mangan and daughter-in-law, Nancy, of Glastonbury, CT. Richard was a loving grandfather to his five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Richard had fond memories of his youth growing up in New Haven. He enjoyed ice skating at the local pond, working as a caddy at Yale and taking the trolley to Savin Rock on Saturday nights. He attended Hillhouse High School and then volunteered to join the Army in 1944.

He entered the war, landing on Utah Beach on August 3rd, with the 80th Infantry Division. He was awarded several medals including two Purple Hearts for being wounded in action while serving in France. He also received two bronze stars for saving troops while under enemy fire. Later that November on Thanksgiving Day, his patrol was ambushed and held up in a farmhouse barn. After helping fellow troops escape into the woods he was then wounded himself and captured. He received triage in a local schoolhouse and then transported by train to a hospital in Wisner, Germany. He was then sent to a German POW camp where he remained until the war ended. He was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.

After the war, Richard married Madeline Gargonia from Naugatuck where they built a home and raised a family. They celebrated their loving marriage of 50 years before her passing in 1998.

Richard worked many years in manufacturing at Uniroyal, Inc. After retiring, he worked part time at the Board of Education in Naugatuck where he had fond memories of the friendships he established. Richard was an avid gardener and spent many hours growing plants from seed and enjoying his flowers and fruits and vegetables that Madeline then preserved for family meals. He was an avid Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan along with his love for classic movies

Richard enjoyed the last few years of his life at the Atria Greenridge Assisted Living in Rocky Hill where he felt embraced as a member of their community. He was a kind and gentle man who appreciated all that God provided for him in life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Burial with military honors will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. Calling hour will be from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck prior to Mass.

To honor Richard’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to MARC Community Resources online at https://www.marccommunityresources.org/annual-appeal