Obituary: Joseph D. Mangino Sr., 86, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Joseph D. Mangino Sr., 86, of Wallingford, CT, and Naples, FL, died Friday, January 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the beloved husband of Joan (Zuroski) Mangino.

Joe was born in Woodbridge, CT, March 28, 1934, a son of the late Basil and Mary (Amato) Mangino. He left school at a young age to work on his family’s turkey farm. His hard work ethic and will to provide for his family was ever present his entire life.

He became a co-owner of Pepe Farms Inc. and later operated Mangino’s Garden Center in Wallingford. After retirement he could still be found working alongside his daughters at Ultimate Growers.

He enjoyed Golfing and was a longtime member of Wallingford Country Club until moving to Florida where he joined Country Side Golf and Country Club. He loved all sports, especially hunting with family. Joe always brought others joy with his great sense of humor and generous heart. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his wife Joan, he is survived by his children, Mary Cone and her husband Robert, Joseph Mangino Jr. and his wife Michelle, Robert Mangino, and Cheryl “Bunny” Galko and her husband Anthony; his sisters, Josephine Lorusso and her husband James, Carol Messek, and Barbara Fusco and her husband John; his grandchildren, Joseph Mangino (Nicole), Randy Mangino (Meghan), Dale Mangino (Stacey), Michael Mangino (Marissa), Robert Cone (Heather), Michelle Cone (Cameron), Tony Galko (Amanda), and Nick Galko, his great grandchildren, Chayse, Gauge, Hailey, Nicholas and Colton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Dominic Mangino and his wife Annette.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Saturday, January 30th, from 9 to 10 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am at Church of the Resurrection.

Interment will follow in In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford. COVID precautions will be followed and masks required at all services.

Friends may safely view the funeral services Saturday at 10:30 am from home via livestream located on Joe’s online obituary page at www.wallingfordfh.com.

Gifts in his memory may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).