Thomas J. Mancino

Thomas (Tom) John Mancino (July 31, 1919 – January 30, 2022) lived for more than a century. During his life, he demonstrated a remarkable capacity for hard work, a quality of sturdy independence, a love of country, and most of all a love of family.

This love began with his own large family. His parents, John Mancino (1884-1961) and Concetta DiSalvo Mancino (1885-1948) were married in Bagheria, Sicily, before emigrating to the United States in the first decade of the 20th century. Tom was the seventh of nine children who survived into adulthood. His father was a shoemaker/cobbler who built a successful business in Harrison, New Jersey, and his mother was an amazingly resourceful housewife who sewed for all her family and typically cooked meals for 12-15 family members every day, even during the Depression. Tom was close to his brothers and sisters.

Tom married the love of his life, beautiful and gracious Veronica Claire Cali, on December 6, 1942, and moved to neighboring Kearny, NJ, where she grew up. It was important to both Claire and Tom that they keep close to their own very large greater families. Even after they moved in 1958 to the "country," in Boonton, NJ, Tom, Claire and their children—Marilyn, John, and Cecelia—visited their aunts, uncles, and cousins often.

Among the great joys of Tom's life were his granddaughters, Lori and Heather Kolip, Cecelia's children; and Erin and Quinn Maguire, Marilyn and son-in-law Terry Maguire's children, all of whom were devoted to their grandparents. Even after Tom and Claire moved to Florida in 1979, after Tom's retirement, their granddaughters—and their families—spent much joyful time in Florida with Nanny and Grandfather, for Christmases and summer vacations.

Claire passed away in August 2001, followed shortly after by the death of their son John in January 2002…two devastating losses. Tom remained in Florida a few years but then moved to Texas to be near Cecelia, her husband Don Levings, and their blended family: Lori, Heather, Stephanie, Kimberley, Michael, Donnie, and Fatima. There Tom became the cherished paterfamilias to an increasing host of great-grandchildren, all of whom adored "Pop-Pop."

Tom Mancino was always a hard worker, starting as a teenage helper at the Harrison Pharmacy. He was an excellent student, graduating at 16 from Harrison High School where he was named Most Popular Senior male and was known for his athleticism playing both soccer and basketball.

However, family finances precluded the possibility of college. Working full-time for many years as a supervisor at Western Electric in New Jersey, he began to study the insurance industry. He eventually began a second full-time job as an insurance broker, earning the respect and loyalty of customers all over New Jersey. His work day would begin before 6:00 am, driving to his management position at Western Electric, and often end late at night, coming home from a conference with a client 50-100 miles from his home. All this hard work paid off, enabling him to retire with Claire to Florida at age 60, to ease up and enjoy life, music, dancing, friends, and most of all family.

Tom believed in the American Dream. He spent time in the Pacific Theater serving in the US Navy during WW II as a Fire Controlman, Third Class, operating weapon systems aboard the battleship U.S.S. Mississippi. During this time, he sustained permanent hearing loss. He declined even the thought of disability; he was too busy shaping his life and raising his family. He maintained a passionate interest in politics, espousing the belief that individuals, rather than government, are better judges of what they need and should do with their lives and families. Though a sometimes feisty sailor in the US Navy, he maintained a deep loyalty to all the US Armed Forces.

From his arrival in Texas in 2004 until this year, Tom lived by himself just a few miles from Cecelia and Don. He maintained a mental acuity and physical well-being that amazed his family and all who knew him. When not with his extended family, Tom enjoyed listening to the Big Band music of his youth, reviewing the myriad of movies, musicals, documentaries, and biographies he had taped and catalogued over the years, maintaining a computer spreadsheet so he could access them by title, subject, or producer. He also enjoyed daily crossword puzzles, which kept him mentally sharp.

To celebrate his one hundredth birthday, over seventy family members and friends, from California to New Jersey and all over Texas, gathered to make speeches and listen to Tom's lively and mellow wit.

Even as his days grew shorter, his capacity to love and be loved grew greater. Many decades from now, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember "Grandfather" and "Pop-Pop''—and they will cherish those memories.

Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife Veronica Claire and their son John Thomas. Tom is survived by his daughters and their spouses Marilyn and Terry Maguire and Cecelia and Donald Levings; granddaughters and their spouses Lori and Will Downs, Heather and Jeff Sinnott, Erin and Dennis Daly, Quinn and Rob Cartelli, and extended family Stephanie Hedderich, Kimberly Crawford, Michael and wife Carol Levings, Donnie Levings, Fatima and husband John Pittman; and 16 great-grandchildren: Riley, Aidyn, Ava, Ellie, Mackenzie, Sophia, Penny, Logan, Olivia, Thor, Grace, Phoebe, Piper, Cooper, Davis, and Polly. He is also survived by his sister, Rosalie Ronca.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas.