Melvin Mangiapia

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Melvin (Sonny) Mangiapia, 70, a retired business owner, computer consultant and high school teacher who will be remembered for his spirit of adventure and his love for his family, died Thursday at his home in Bayville, N.J.

Born and raised in New Brighton, he graduated from Curtis High School.

Mr. Mangiapia also lived in Great Kills before moving to New Dorp, where he spent most of his time on the Island. He relocated to Bayville a year ago.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1965. A jet mechanic, he was primarily stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

Mr. Mangiapia earned his bachelor's degree from Baruch College, Manhattan. He received his master's degree in technology from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and later obtained his master's degree in education from Brooklyn College.

He was a computer consultant, working for various companies, including EDS. During this time he also owned two Dunkin Donuts shops, in New Dorp and Woodrow. After selling the shops, he taught computer science and history at Tottenville High School, until retiring in 2013.

Mr. Mangiapia belonged to the South Shore Rotary Club, Great Kills Yacht Club, Harley-Davidson Club, Richmond County Hunting Club, Colonial Rifle Club, New Jersey Beach Buggy Club, and the Berkeley Shores Civic Association. He also was a Scoutmaster and Webelos leader, and a past president of the Family Association of St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School.

An avid outdoorsman, he loved fishing, hunting and sailing, often sailing from Great Kills to Rhode Island on his boat. He loved going on "fly and ride" trips, when he and his wife, the former Victoria Baldini, would fly to a destination, then go sightseeing on motorcycles, as they did in Maui, Hawaii, and other places. The couple also traveled to Europe, visiting Paris and London, among other cities, and took a 50th anniversary cruise.

"When we were married, he told me, 'This isn't just a marriage, this is an adventure,'" said his wife, Victoria.

Mr. Mangiapia's grandchildren were the love of his life and he treasured every moment with them, from going on Disney trips to just being with them, family said.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, New Dorp.

Surviving, along with Victoria, his wife of 50 years, are his son, Philip; his daughter, Jennifer Malewany; his sister, Maryann Runfola, and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10:30 p.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, also New Dorp.

Friends will be received Sunday and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.

In lieu of flowers contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital or Hope for Heroes would be greatly appreciated.