Richard E. Mangin
Richard E. Mangin of Kearny died July 11, 2024.
He was 89.
He was a lifelong resident of Kearny, after moving from Newark when he was a small boy.
He attended St. Cecilia’s grammar and high schools before transferring to and graduating from Kearny High School. It was there he met the love of his life, “the Epple of his eye – Jay.” Together they have seven children, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956. He was a proud member of both the Joseph E. Frobisher American Legion Post 99 and the VFW Post 1302, both of Kearny. After his honorable discharge he became a proud Teamster-Local 560, remaining so for over 40 years. He was employed as a truck driver for St. Johnsbury Trucking of Kearny, later Carlstadt, for many years. After his retirement from St. Johnsbury, he continued to work as a driver for his good friends at Towne Auto Sales well into his 80s.
Besides the company of his many friends and very large family, he always enjoyed his weekly poker game, watching the New York Giants and spending time at the car lot with his good friends at Towne Auto.
He was predeceased by his wife Jay (nee Epple), his sister Florence (Sr. Jean Cordis Mangin), his brother Raymond, his Grandson Jayson. He is survived by his children Dorothy Cameron (David), Debra Tropeano, Thomas Mangin (Donna), James Mangin, Theresa (Mangin) Francis, Diane Mangin and Lorraine Mould (Thomas). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Brian Kain (Alexi), Brenda (Kain) Irwin (John), Edward Adamo (Amy), Richard Francis, Melissa Mould, Thomas Mould, Christopher Mangin (Melissa), Jayme (Francis) Russo (Aldo), Kyle Mangin, Anton Mangin, Samantha (Mangin) Hatfield (Clint), Daniel Mould (Stephanie), Matthew Tropeano and Justin Mangin (Carly). Richard is further survived by his twelve great-grandchildren, and he is the beloved “Uncle Dick” to generations of numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren truly were his greatest love.
Viewing was at Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. The funeral was at St. Stephen’s R.C Church in Kearny.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or Autism NJ.
Learn more about the writer ...
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.