Michael Mangino, coach at St. Anthony's, dies at 67
Michael Mangino, an assistant football coach at St. Anthony's in South Huntington, died suddenly Nov. 26, 2010, in Naples, Fla. He was 67.
Newsday's obituary for Michael Mangino
Credit: Handout
Michael Mangino III recalls those cherished days when, as a child, he and his dad, Michael Mangino, practiced football on the field nestled between Abraham Lincoln and May Moore elementary schools in Deer Park.
The father taught the son the basics - how to grip, throw, catch and tackle - as the two spent countless hours playing and talking.
Michael Mangino died suddenly last Friday in Naples, Fla., while visiting his mother. An assistant football coach at St. Anthony's in South Huntington, he was 67.
A longtime Deer Park resident, Mangino had a blue-collar upbringing in Queens' Richmond Hills neighborhood, where his family owned Cheap Mike's Auto Parts. He spent much of his youth working at the family business.
He attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens and then C.W. Post, where he graduated in 1965. That same year, on the Fourth of July, he married his wife, Emily.
He worked for the Nassau County Health Department for 35 years and began coaching the St. Anthony's freshman football team in 1990. For the past 11 seasons, he served many roles on varsity coach Rich Reichert's staff, most recently as the wide receivers and special teams coach.
Reichert recalled Mangino's coaching philosophy when working with the receivers.
"If you don't block for each other, you won't play," Reichert remembers his saying. "And his guys blocked the heck out of each other."
Michael Mangino III grew up to play football and lacrosse at St. Anthony's from 1985-89 before going to West Point, where he also played lacrosse. His father never missed a game.
"When playing at West Point, I remember getting off the bus halfway across the country, and he'd be there," Mangino, of San Francisco, said.
"I called him the go-to guy," Mangino's daughter, Debra Mangino-Freeman of Manhasset, said. "If you needed something, you talked to him. And not just family, but the countless people who came in contact with him."
Off the football field, Mangino was an avid golfer, often sneaking in nine holes at a Bethpage course before evening practices. He maintained a 10-handicap.
"Football was his love, next to his family," Mangino said. "But golf was his passion. If he could do anything in the world, he would play golf."
And he shared his love of golf with the entire family, including Emily, who took up the sport about 15 years ago.
Three years ago, he purchased a vacation home with Debra and her husband, Jason Freeman, overlooking Blackmoor Country Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"It was everything to him," Debra said. "It was the greatest gift my husband gave to me because it made my dad so happy."
"Although he wasn't there a lot, knowing he had it gave him immense joy."
Whether it was playing nine, coaching the Friars or doting over his grandchildren, Mangino never lacked for activities.
"He died young, but I guess you can say he had a full life," his son said.
A memorial service was held Thursday at St. Anthony's.
In addition to his mother, Muriel Mangino, wife, son and daughter Debra, Mangino is also survived by daughter Kerry Mangino-Hughes of Nagoya, Japan, and five grandchildren.
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