MANGELS – George Robert, Sr., (82), a longtime resident of West Islip, NY, passed away on January 26, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born to German immigrants, Ella (Mueller) Mangels, and George Mangels, George was raised in Oceanside, NY, graduated from Oceanside High School, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Masters Degree in Guidance and Personnel Services from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie (DiGiovanna) Mangels in 1963, and they recently celebrated sixty years of marriage. He is also survived by: his children, Rob Mangels, Paul (Liz) Mangels, John (Alicia) Mangels, and Kristin (Brian) Murphy; his grandchildren, Paul James, Emma, Ryan, Caroline, Patrick, Ella, Katherine, Maura, Avery, and Matthew; his sister Jean (Peter) Cogan, sisters-in-law Lynda O’Grady, and Christine DiGiovanna. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Kind, faithful, honest, and patient, George was always a man of his word and a gentle soul. George’s family was the most important thing in his life. He loved riding his bike and was a road warrior, visiting his children and grandchildren wherever they were. He and Rosalie made sure that family vacations, especially to Disney World, happened often. A great day for George was on the water with all his people, searching for the perfect place to cast a line or set a sail. He loved watching college sports, especially Notre Dame and any college his grandchildren attended, gardening and tinkering outside, and doing anything his grandchildren asked him to do. George touched many lives through his work in education, always encouraging kids to work hard and be fair and honest. He was a pillar of the community, serving in many roles over the years, including coaching soccer and basketball on both the varsity and little league level, being a religious education mentor, and camp counselor. He spent nineteen years as a teacher, guidance counselor and chairperson, and Dean of Students at Baldwin Senior High School and eleven years as an administrator in the West Islip Public Schools. A dear friend of George shared the following with his family this week: “Recently, a good friend of mine said their goal in life was to leave the world a better place. What a great foundation to live by, and, of course, anyone who knew George at all recognized that is exactly what he did. He worked diligently to make this world a better place for everyone – family, friends, and people in general. He had a positive impact on a countless number of individuals and the love and wisdom he gave and shared has made all of us better human beings and the world a better place…May the good Lord grant you the peace of knowing that George is in His loving hands…God bless you and your entire family.”

Montfort Missionaries Attn: Father Tom Poth 26 South Saxon Avenue Bay Shore, NY 11706