[Updated location for calling hours] The West Hartford Fire Department is mourning the loss of Apparatus Operator Joseph Mangione.
By Ronni Newton
The badge that serves as the profile picture for the West Hartford Fire Fighters Local 1241 Facebook page has a black line through it, and the stations have black drapes hanging above the doors, as the West Hartford Fire Department mourns the death of Apparatus Operator Joseph Mangione, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Aug. 27, 2020.
Mangione, 59, was a West Hartford resident and a 20-year veteran of the department, and was assigned to Station No. 3 on New Britain Avenue.
“Joe was a highly respected member of the department, the most senior apparatus operator, and the only trainer who had personally trained all of the Department’s current apparatus operators over his 20-year career. Joe had been recognized as the department’s Driver of the Year for his unsurpassed technical competency and his unwavering commitment to safety. Joe also received two citations for meritorious service in the line of duty,” the department said in a Facebook post.
Mangione is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his sons, Mike and Will.
According to the obituary on the Molloy Funeral Home website, he is also survived by his mother Leona and siblings Robert Mangione and his wife Jean; Richard Mangione and his wife Rhonda; Lorraine Mangione; Marie Mangione Hubbard and her husband Charles; John Mangione and his wife Heather; many nieces and nephews and his fire department family.
Calling hours will take place Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 4-7 p.m., at the Church of Saint Timothy, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Timothy, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford, with burial services at Fairview Cemetery at 200 Whitman Ave., following a procession.
Attendance inside the funeral service will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. The service will be broadcast via this link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/44149647
Local 1241 invites all attendees to a reception honoring AO Mangione at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford following the graveside service. Free parking is on site as well as food and refreshments.
Facial coverings and social distancing will be required for all services.
The fire department asks that any outside agency wishing to attend please contact Secretary Steeve Parent at [email protected] to establish a headcount for social distancing guidelines.
“Rest in Peace Brother Mangione and rest assured that Station 3 will always miss their #1 driver,” the fire department posted on Facebook.
For more information, or to read the complete obituary, visit the Molloy Funeral Home website.
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