Charles Shangler, 93, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Bishop Spencer Place in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born August 6, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York. His father Veto Sciangula, emigrated from Agrigento, Sicily on his 19th birthday. Working at construction and in the coal mines of West Virginia, he saved enough money to return to his home town in Sicily to marry Congettina Fragapani, his childhood sweetheart, bringing her back to Pitkin Avenue in NY and eventually raising five healthy, intelligent and ambitious children. Charles was the youngest of three boys and earned money after school shining shoes .
Always a scholar and top of his classes at Brooklyn College, and at Park College in Kansas City where he graduated magna cum laude, he was interrupted by the war and served in the Marine Corps on Okinawa.
When he completed his military service he decided to enroll in the University of Kansas Law School in Lawrence. On December 20, 1946 he married Kathryn Bisceglia at the Old Italian Mission in Kansas City
which had been founded by her father Dr. J.R. Bisceglia. Upon graduation from law school, he opened his own law office in Kansas City and developed a successful practice serving the needs of the Northeast Community.
His talents became well known, and in 1965 he was appointed judge of Division 15 of the Jackson County Circuit Court. After four years, he was appointed on January 4, 1969 to the Missouri Court of Appeals where he served with distinction until his retirement on August 1, 1993.
Upon retirement, Charles assumed the role of director of the Northeast Community Center, revitalizing the campus and instituting classes to honor the Italian heritage of the local immigrant population. In keeping with the original mission of the Center to provide educational, cultural and social programs, he eventually decided to create a charter school on campus in 1999, Scuola Vita Nuova (School of New Life). He built a middle school with his family trust, and after 15 years of success, the school expanded nearby.
Charles created a scholarship endowment for students who were accepted to private high schools and college….and those students sought him out gratefully over the years.
Once the charter school moved, Charles collaborated with his Board and Executive Director Laura Shultz
to continue the educational support of Northeast children by becoming an affiliate of Harmony Project in LA, an intensive free after-school and weekend music training which enhances children’s ability to focus and learn…thereby bridging the achievement gap between underprivileged children and their more affluent peers. Charles’ extraordinary generosity will continue to transform the lives of children from 22 Northeast schools and beyond through Harmony Project KC and SVN. His love for his friends, family and caring staff at Bishop Spencer Place met no match.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Tony & Sal, sister Lily and wife Kay. He is survived by his sister Francis and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 on Saturday September 24, 2016 beginning at 12:00 p.m. with services to follow at 1:00 p.m. and a reception at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Private interment to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northeast Community Center, 544 Wabash, Kansas City, Missouri 64124 in honor of Charles’ continued work in the community.
Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.
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