Joe was born on June 26, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, to the late Dr. Carl J. Manganaro and Mary M. Cacioppo. A native of Colorado, Joe was raised in Sterling, and attended Holy Cross Abbey High School in Canon City. In January, 1959, he graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science, and was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in Field Artillery.
Upon commissioning, he attended the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, Maryland. Here he married Benton “Benny” Addison Butler, his wife of 64 years, and together they moved to Baumholder, Germany.
Throughout his distinguished career of 30 years, Joe held numerous command and staff assignments in the U.S. and Europe, and served two tours in Vietnam. Of his many assignments, he was most proud of his service as a battery commander in the 3rd ACR; as a battalion commander and executive officer for 4th Infantry Division Artillery; the director of the AirLand Forces Application Agency, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; and as a logistics staff officer in the Pentagon’s Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. His last assignment was as Inspector General for the U.S. Army Western Command, Hawaii. Joe’s military education included the Armor Officer Career Course, Fort Knox, Kentucky, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the U.S. Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He also earned a Master's degree in education from Boston University.
His military awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge, among others.
Joe was a longtime member and usher at The Church of the Holy Family, Columbus, Georgia, and also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and lifetime member of the Military Officers Association.
He is survived by his wife, Benny, in Columbus, Georgia; a daughter, Monica Manganaro; two sons, James Manganaro and Mark Manganaro; five grandchildren, Madeline Manganaro, Joseph Manganaro, Mia Manganaro, Benjamin Manganaro and Maxwell Manganaro; and a sister, Antoinette White.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on July 7 at The Church of the Holy Family, followed by the graveside service at noon at Parkhill Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors. The rosary will be held at 5:00 to 6 p.m. on July 6 in the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary chapel, with visitation afterwards, 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
