Lt. Col. Patrick James Mango

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Celebrating the life of
Lt. Col. Patrick James MangoMarch 30, 1919 - February 02, 2012

PATRICK JAMES MANGO

Patrick James Mango, 92, passed away on February 2, 2012 after a short illness. He had a lifetime of adventures punctuated by more than 30 years of decorated service to his country, laughter, a devotion to bicycling and fitness, and a love of music and family. Mr. Mango was born on March 30, 1919 in New Britain, Connecticut, to parents Nicolo and Francesca D'Avanzo Mango. After spending his early years in New Britain, he and his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he graduated from Webster High School. Mr. Mango and his sisters regularly performed with local bands in the late 1930s, with Mr. Mango fronting as lead singer and performing classic "big band" songs. With his friends from Hartford, Mr. Mango joined the Army National Guard in advance of World War II. After Pearl Harbor, he was commissioned into the regular Army and subsequently volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He spent the war years flying B-17s and testing navigation and bombardier equipment. With the end of the war, he attended college on the GI bill, graduating with a degree in engineering from a university in Oklahoma when asked, he would refer to his college as the "school of hard knocks". Mr. Mango met his wife, Barbara Kilduff Mango, in Hartford; they were married on October 1, 1949 and spent 62 years together. At the advent of the Korean War in 1951, he rejoined the military, serving in the U.S. Air Force first as a navigator on B-29s flying out of Okinawa and then as a Select Crew navigator on B-47s in the Strategic Air Command's SAC's 40th Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force. He later attended and graduated from the U.S. Air Force's Command and Staff School in Montgomery, AL and received a B.S degree in aeronautical / mechanical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. He served a tour in Vietnam flying C-130 transport planes and then, while based at USAF bases in Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Philippines, flew combat missions into Laos and Cambodia, as well as transport missions in support of the "Baby Lift" and the evacuation of Saigon, as well as peace missions to Hanoi at the end of the war. For his decades of military service, he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel, but preferred not to be referred to as "colonel" and never as "colonel – retired". Nonetheless, Colonel Mango was awarded various high military decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, numerous Air Medals and other service medals. He always noted that he had served his country through four wars – World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in the late 1970s, the Mangos moved to The Landings in Savannah, GA, where they built two homes and lived for over 30 years. During his "retirement" years, Colonel Mango obtained an accounting degree and then worked as a volunteer AARP regional tax advisor and tax aide for over 25 years, traveling around southern Georgia to conduct training in IRS procedures and to prepare tax returns. He also became a devoted cyclist, joining a local bicycle club and participating in the Bike Ride Across Georgia many times. He routinely biked with fellow cyclists throughout the Low Country and completed several 'centuries' in his 70's and 80's. In addition, he formed a special group of cyclists – referred to as "Age in Motion" – all male cyclists in the group had to be at least 75 years of age to join with few exceptions although "ladies of any age" were welcomed to join. Colonel Mango and his fellow Age in Motion group members, many of whom were cancer survivors, qualified for the Georgia Senior Olympic team in cycling, and Colonel Mango went on to win medals in the National Senior Olympics while in his 80s. His cycling career was cut short when his wife was diagnosed with Picks Disease in 2009; Colonel Mango spent two years lovingly overseeing his wife's care. Although he gave up most road cycling, he continued to attend regular "spinning" classes and weight train. He was sadly pre-deceased by his wife, who lost her battle with Picks Disease on December 27, 2011. Mr. Mango is survived by his three children, their spouses, his granddaughter, and friends, all of whom are proud to have had him in their lives, will forever miss him and will recall with devotion his love of life, his stories, and his gallantry. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Mr. Mango's favorite charities: the American Heart Association or Air Force Memorial Foundation.

Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel

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Patrice, I am saddened to learn of Pat's death while we were away for most of February. He and your mother were our first neighbors when we moved to Savannah, and both were so good to us. I occasionally ran into Pat at the fitness center and learned of your mother's illness; that is a terrible disease and was sorry to learn that she had succombed to it. My prayers are with you and your siblings as you cope with losing both parents within such a short time.

- Dotsie Dewberry, Savannah, GA

Dear Patrice and family, my heart is with you during this sad time. What a wonderful 'life well-lived' story. And I must say, it is nice to know where Patrice got all that energy!! Alicia Lanier

- Alicia, Portland, OR

I don't know any of Pat's family, but I wanted to tell you how much I thought of your Dad. What a prince of a guy! Pat and I shared the love of biking and I have many photos of him with his buddies, Age in Motion. Once we honored them in S'boro after you had given him that spiffy bike. He was so proud of it! Here he came, fake tatoos covering his arms and that wide grin on his face. There are special people you get to share life with and your Dad was certainly one. If you would like photos please let me know. I know you'll miss him and your Mom. God let Pat fulfill his mission in caring for her. 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' must be ringing in his ears.

- Eleanor Schneider, Statesboro, GA

I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with all of you.

- Matt Criblez, Portland, OR

Though I never met Patrick, I have come to know and appreciate his daughter Patrice quite well over the last 15 years. Patrice and I had a lot of common ground as my own father, Cmdr. Larry Liebe, was a Naval Aviator for many years, and somehow out of that we had some pretty common yet funny stories to share with one another. You raised her right Lt. Col., and I thank you for your sacrifices in defending our country and in your raising such of a fine daughter. You will be missed and you left a fine legacy.

- Mark Liebe, Portland, OR

My condolences to Patrice and the Mango family. From what I've heard he was an amazing person who lived life to the fullest.

- Tracy Rauscher, Portland, OR

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Pat and his wife - and within such a short period. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends. I first met Pat biking with the AGE in MOTION group. I was a novice and they were all so supportive and gentlemenly. My dad had been a Marine and pilot in WWII and Korea and Pat and I would talk about this and about politics. My dad lives in SFO so I always felt like I had a little bit of him with me when I was biking with Pat. I loved his biking outfits which he said his daughters had given him. He always looked so snazzy! Pat was very special to me and I have the fondest memories of him and will miss him. He truely was a very remarkable man and I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to know him.

- Diana Gladden, Savannah, GA