Obituary for Albert James Manganello Jr.
Albert James Manganello, Jr., peacefully passed away on January 21, 2021, with family by his side after a short but courageous battle with pneumonia. He was 73. Born on April 6th, 1947, Al was the cherished son of the late Albert J. and Yolanda (Iacoviello) Manganello.
A lifelong Medfield resident, Al graduated Medfield High School in 1964. He excelled at football, and was a proud Warrior. Al enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation. He proudly served two and a half years, including 14 months in the Vietnam War.
When Lance Cpl. Manganello finished his tour in Vietnam, he returned home to Medfield and worked in the oil business, where he met his future wife, Lorraine. An opportunity close to home, and closer to his heart, arose when the new Medfield Legion was complete in the early 1970’s. Al was sworn in as Post Steward in 1975 and held that position until his passing. One of his best-known accomplishments as Post Steward was the creation of Peter Kristof Way. He was responsible for naming and dedicating the Grove St extension in memory of fellow Marine and Medfield graduate, Peter Kristof, who was killed in Vietnam. In the summer of 1976, Al and Lorraine were married in the city. They chartered busloads of attendees back to the Medfield Legion for their reception. Theirs kicked off the hundreds of weddings Al would eventually coordinate as the Legion Function Manager. Family life began in 1978 with the birth of their daughter, Lorrie, followed by Al III. A proud father, Al never missed a significant event in his children’s lives. From plays to playoffs, Al was there front and center. If he wasn’t coaching, you could find him cheering from the sidelines.
Al instilled a strong work ethic in his children, and lead by example. Al worked 7 days a week, and loved everyday. During his almost 50 year career with the American Legion, Al served on 14 committees, including the Executive Board, the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, Distinguished Service, Memorial Committee, Public Relations, Scholarships, Life Memberships, Community Services, Memorial Day, Medfield Day, Sick Call, The Sons of the Legion, and he was the Chairman of Athletics. Al was sworn in as Commander 6 times. Al also formed the Sons of the American Legion, an organization for those whose parents and/or grandparents were in the service. He volunteered as their advisor and oversaw their MHS scholarships. Within the Medfield community, Al was on the Memorial Day Committee, organized Veterans Day services, and was one of three Vine Lake Cemetery Commissioners. Al initiated creation of a Medfield Vietnam Memorial Stone, which sits at the entrance of Peter Kristof Way. He was there from conception to dedication of Medfield’s Baxter Park, and proudly helped unveil the Vietnam Memorial at the Middle School. In 2013, Al was the recipient of the Medfield Foundations “Lifetime Achievement Award”. He was recognized for his lifelong work spanning over four decades for the betterment of Medfield Veterans. Al was also recognized for his volunteer work with Medfield Day, Medfield Little League, Council on Aging, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Medfield Lions Club, Boys State, Toys for Tots, MHS scholarships, and with the Medfield Police and Fire departments. Al was a gifted gardener and landscaper, and proudly managed Manganello Landscaping, a business he helped his son bring to life when he was a teenager.
“Big Al” was happiest while spending time with his family and friends. His presence was larger than life and he could fill a room with his personality and laughter. He enjoyed his many “regulars”, talking about everything from the weather to politics to sports. He was always there to lend an ear, or the shirt off his back. Al enjoyed his family vacations to Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Beach. Al and Lorraine loved visiting their friends in Florida. They loved hosting get togethers and going to dinner with friends. Everyone looked forward to their annual 4th of July party, hosting dozens of family and friends throughout the day. Al was an avid New England sports fan. He took joy in his annual golf trips, playing mens league softball, and being the perfect Lefty. Al’s most relaxed days were spent on the boat taking day trips to the Vineyard, and on his deck with his newspapers and peanuts. The greatest joy in Al’s life, was when his granddaughter, Olivia, was born. He was a proud Papa, and relished every minute they spent together. From ballet recitals to baiting the perfect hook; to watching Westerns and going to horse shows, they had an unbreakable bond. Al is survived by his wife of over 44 years, Lorraine (Gay); his daughter Lorrie and husband, John Guindon, of Norfolk; his son Albert J. Manganello III and wife, Michelle, of Medfield; his brother Brian and wife Debbie of Howell, Michigan; his sister Rhona (Manganello) Peterson of Nashua, N.H.; his beloved granddaughter, Olivia; and many nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, January 28th from 2-6 at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller Street, Medfield. Please be advised due to COVID-19 restrictions a maximum of 25 people will be allowed in the Funeral Home at a time. Burial will be Friday at 11:45 in Vine Lake Cemetery with full Military Honors following a private Mass.
Donations in Al’s memory can be made to The Sons of the American Legion PO Box 39
Medfield, Ma 02052.
A lifelong Medfield resident, Al graduated Medfield High School in 1964. He excelled at football, and was a proud Warrior. Al enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation. He proudly served two and a half years, including 14 months in the Vietnam War.
When Lance Cpl. Manganello finished his tour in Vietnam, he returned home to Medfield and worked in the oil business, where he met his future wife, Lorraine. An opportunity close to home, and closer to his heart, arose when the new Medfield Legion was complete in the early 1970’s. Al was sworn in as Post Steward in 1975 and held that position until his passing. One of his best-known accomplishments as Post Steward was the creation of Peter Kristof Way. He was responsible for naming and dedicating the Grove St extension in memory of fellow Marine and Medfield graduate, Peter Kristof, who was killed in Vietnam. In the summer of 1976, Al and Lorraine were married in the city. They chartered busloads of attendees back to the Medfield Legion for their reception. Theirs kicked off the hundreds of weddings Al would eventually coordinate as the Legion Function Manager. Family life began in 1978 with the birth of their daughter, Lorrie, followed by Al III. A proud father, Al never missed a significant event in his children’s lives. From plays to playoffs, Al was there front and center. If he wasn’t coaching, you could find him cheering from the sidelines.
Al instilled a strong work ethic in his children, and lead by example. Al worked 7 days a week, and loved everyday. During his almost 50 year career with the American Legion, Al served on 14 committees, including the Executive Board, the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, Distinguished Service, Memorial Committee, Public Relations, Scholarships, Life Memberships, Community Services, Memorial Day, Medfield Day, Sick Call, The Sons of the Legion, and he was the Chairman of Athletics. Al was sworn in as Commander 6 times. Al also formed the Sons of the American Legion, an organization for those whose parents and/or grandparents were in the service. He volunteered as their advisor and oversaw their MHS scholarships. Within the Medfield community, Al was on the Memorial Day Committee, organized Veterans Day services, and was one of three Vine Lake Cemetery Commissioners. Al initiated creation of a Medfield Vietnam Memorial Stone, which sits at the entrance of Peter Kristof Way. He was there from conception to dedication of Medfield’s Baxter Park, and proudly helped unveil the Vietnam Memorial at the Middle School. In 2013, Al was the recipient of the Medfield Foundations “Lifetime Achievement Award”. He was recognized for his lifelong work spanning over four decades for the betterment of Medfield Veterans. Al was also recognized for his volunteer work with Medfield Day, Medfield Little League, Council on Aging, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Medfield Lions Club, Boys State, Toys for Tots, MHS scholarships, and with the Medfield Police and Fire departments. Al was a gifted gardener and landscaper, and proudly managed Manganello Landscaping, a business he helped his son bring to life when he was a teenager.
“Big Al” was happiest while spending time with his family and friends. His presence was larger than life and he could fill a room with his personality and laughter. He enjoyed his many “regulars”, talking about everything from the weather to politics to sports. He was always there to lend an ear, or the shirt off his back. Al enjoyed his family vacations to Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Beach. Al and Lorraine loved visiting their friends in Florida. They loved hosting get togethers and going to dinner with friends. Everyone looked forward to their annual 4th of July party, hosting dozens of family and friends throughout the day. Al was an avid New England sports fan. He took joy in his annual golf trips, playing mens league softball, and being the perfect Lefty. Al’s most relaxed days were spent on the boat taking day trips to the Vineyard, and on his deck with his newspapers and peanuts. The greatest joy in Al’s life, was when his granddaughter, Olivia, was born. He was a proud Papa, and relished every minute they spent together. From ballet recitals to baiting the perfect hook; to watching Westerns and going to horse shows, they had an unbreakable bond. Al is survived by his wife of over 44 years, Lorraine (Gay); his daughter Lorrie and husband, John Guindon, of Norfolk; his son Albert J. Manganello III and wife, Michelle, of Medfield; his brother Brian and wife Debbie of Howell, Michigan; his sister Rhona (Manganello) Peterson of Nashua, N.H.; his beloved granddaughter, Olivia; and many nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, January 28th from 2-6 at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller Street, Medfield. Please be advised due to COVID-19 restrictions a maximum of 25 people will be allowed in the Funeral Home at a time. Burial will be Friday at 11:45 in Vine Lake Cemetery with full Military Honors following a private Mass.
Donations in Al’s memory can be made to The Sons of the American Legion PO Box 39
Medfield, Ma 02052.