John Ballantyne Mangini

Mr. John Mangini, the son of Ralph and Elaine Mangini, was born on April 26, 1943 in Waterbury. He grew up in Wolcott CT, where he attended the Frisbee Grammar School and the Wolcott High School. During his school years, John was actively involved in educational and athletic activities. He was active member of Wolcott Little League, Babe Ruth, CYO, Twilight League, and played 4 years baseball and basketball at Wolcott High School. John was recipient of many National Foundation Grants and Academic Awards. He was the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award by the Wolcott Circle of Sports, Inc. for his outstanding dedication and service to the Town of Wolcott.

After graduating from high school, John continued his education to receive BS, MS, and 6th year. He received National Foundation Grants at the following schools:

Bowdoin College - Marine Sciences

Baylor University - Biochemistry

UC-Berkley - Molecular Biology

St. Joseph College - Environmental Sciences

Fairfield College - Radiation and Cell Biology.

John was also the recipient of many Academic Awards, including PIMMS Vanguard Fellow from Wesleyan University, Academy Fellow from CT Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) "Assessment in the Service of Science".

John's Academic Experiences include 2 years of teaching in the CT Scholars Program at Choate Rosemary Hall, 6 years as a volunteer in the Gifted and Talented Program for Naugatuck Valley Schools, 18 years as a teacher at Trinity College in the CT Pre-Engineering Summer Program, Mentor/Cooperating teacher for the BEST Program, Science Staff Development at Waterbury, Wolcott, Hartford, Hamden, Windham, and Learning Corridor. He was the Executive Board Member of the CT Science Teachers Association, Developer/Consultant for the State of CT for CAPT Content Questions, and the Teacher in the Russian Exchange Program "Linking Languages, Technology, and Science.

John was employed at the Waterbury Public School System; for 35 years he was a science teacher at the Kennedy High School. For some years he also fulfilled the duties of the science Department Chair. After retiring from his job as high school science teacher, he became a science supervisor for the City of Waterbury. At Kennedy High School John coached tennis for 20 years and cross-country for 10 years.

While John was involved in the Russian Exchange Program in 1995, he met his wife Tarana Akhmedova, who also was an exchange teacher at the Yalta Elementary School in Crimea. They were married the summer of 1997. John and Tarana always felt a connection to the movie "Love Story", never knowing how one day their own story will become similar to the one in the movie. John signed his letters and the many post cards that he gave to his wife over the years with the following words: "When you think of me, If you think of me, only know, I loved you all my life. Love always, John" The deep love they shared never faded in the 17 years that they were married.

After fully retiring in 2004, John enjoyed playing tennis year round - he was a club member at the Lyme Shores Tennis and Conditioning Center. John instilled the love of tennis to his wife and the two of the grandchildren. He also enjoyed fishing and boating with friends and family. Besides fishing and tennis, John loved cooking, gardening, traveling and taking long walks with his wife in CT parks. He loved to support his wife in her hobbies of painting and entertaining. He was a gourmet cook and always looked to come up with authentic new recipes. John was an avid reader and was very knowledgeable in many aspects of life. He always strove for excellence in everything he did, to the last day of his life. He had great sense of humor and loved and lived life to the fullest!

Mr. Mangini is survived by his loving wife, his daughter Jessica Cain of Southington and three grandchildren Caelin, Macaela and Jayla, his brothers Ralph and David Mangini, and sister Maryann Franco.

In leu of flowers, please send the Memorial Contributions to the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative: https://secure2.convio.net/bts/site/Donation2?df_id=4360&4360.donation=form1, in support of the National Brain Tumor Society. Thank you!