Victor Francis Mangini

Victor Francis Mangini was born on September 20, 1939 at 2:20 AM at the old St Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Mom said it was a rough birth. As he grew, he was a sweet child and quite handsome. He wore a big smile and had a head full of curls. He was a little slow to talk, but that didn’t slow him down.

Vic had a fondness for animals which lasted his entire life. One of his favorite dogs was Mitzi. She followed him everywhere and obeyed his commands. Once she caught a squirrel and held its tail until Vic came to free it.

He was always bringing an array of animals home. He brought a dog, a horse, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils and fish. At one time our parents’ basement was a menagerie of hamster and gerbil cages. He tended them well. Another time he filled their basement with fish tanks. It was a lovely sight to see. When he was in his last residence, he had a beautiful fish tank. He always asked the fellows who came to clean the tank if he could have a turtle. Apparently, they couldn’t provide him one, but he asked every time, anyway.

Vic was an untrained athlete. Anything physical he tried, he could do. Once he went up to the mountains and decided to ski down. With no training and never having been on skis, he skied down without hurting himself. The same goes for swimming. He wasn’t a swimmer, but he jumped into a river and swam straight across. We’re not sure there were any style points, but he made it.

Victor was an altar boy when he attended St Cecelia Elementary in north Portland. He would get calls at home from the nuns telling him what time he was to serve at mass the next day or the following week. We always knew who he was talking with because he would keep saying “yes S’ter” all through the conversation. Vic also attended Central Catholic High School.

He had a paper route as a kid and was very agile on his bike. There were times he would give one of us a ride on his bike and it was quite a thrilling adventure. Whoever was riding would sit on either the handle bars or cross bar and off he would go a breakneck speed. Up and down curbs, and not once would you fall or get hurt. Those rides were something to remember!

He held numerous jobs over the years. He worked at a foundry, made bed springs, worked at a meat packing plant, and more we can’t remember. He was a good, reliable worker. He also enlisted in the army at 18 yrs. old and spent time at forts in California, Texas and Germany.

As a young adult Victor was diagnosed with mental illness. He lived with Mom and Dad for many years, but did spend time at Dammasch Hospital, on and off until it was closed. It was a difficult life for the family, but especially for Victor. For probably the last forty years of his life, he lived in adult care homes. He still would ride the bus to Mom and Dad’s to visit and he would go on fishing and gambling vacations with them. Fishing was a joy for him his entire life. When he couldn’t make it over to their house, our parents would make sure to visit him on a regular basis. After our Dad passed our Mom still made two trips a month to give him treats and a little spending money. After our Mom passed, Rosalie and Helene would alternate weekly visits. We would leave him treats and spending money just like our Mom always did. He always beamed when you asked him if he wanted some spending money.

He lived for thirty years at Mt. Scott Adult Care Home. He was well liked by many of those he lived with and those who worked there. He walked nearly a mile one-way, almost daily, to a diner called Ron’s to have a cup of coffee, he also loved their burgers, fries, shakes and pancakes. Sometimes he would walk there twice-a-day. He would often take his cup of coffee outside, so he could have a smoke. One bad habit he never gave up, unfortunately.

The last time Rosalie and Helene visited, they noticed he wasn’t doing well. We hoped a visit to the doctor would take care of it. As it turned out, it was a lot more serious than we thought. He ended up in the hospital and after several days there he had a heart attack. It was a serious one. After talking with the doctors, we were told he wouldn’t live long. The evening before he died we had a priest come to bless him. The next day, with Rosalie, Helene and their husbands by his side, he peacefully passed away.

He is missed by our family, the people from Mt Scott (especially, Susan and Destiny) and the staff at Ron’s. He was a gentle soul with a very kind heart. We know he is at peace and in a much happier place.

Victor’s Family

Rosalie McCrea and her husband, Mike

Helene Johnsen and her husband, Kim

Jo Boone and her husband, Bill

Nephews:

Erik Johnsen and his wife, Sara

Bill Boone and his wife, Carol Anne

Great niece:

Livia Johnsen

Great nephews:

Evan Johnsen

Will Boone

And numerous cousins