TAU ZETA TAU
FRATERNITY

Bob Mangano

 
Robert Mangano, businessman, philanthropist
The Buffalo News - July 30, 2016
Robert "Bob" Mangano, a businessman who rose from JC Penney sales clerk to the proprietorship of a nationally known electric bulb and lighting company, passed away on Thursday, July 28 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital after a brief illness.  He was one month shy of his 77th birthday.
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Mr. Mangano, the son of the late Angelo and Louise Bevilacqua Mangano, was born in Buffalo and was graduated from Buffalo Technical High School.   He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the then
University of Buffalo in 1962.  While at UB he managed the men's basketball team under head coach Len Serfustini and began a twenty-year run as a member of the International Association of Basketball Officials, refereeing Western New York high school games.  Upon graduating from UB, he was employed as a sales clerk at the JC Penney store in Rochester New York.  After returning to Buffalo in 1973 he opened his own business, Bob's Galley, a restaurant on East Delavan Avenue. 
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In 1980, he changed business venues and opened The Bulb Man on Elmwood Avenue, supplying bulbs and electric supplies to retail and business consumers locally and nationally.  His firm was among the first in Western New York to carry lighting for SAD (seasonal affective disorder) a condition caused by winter lack of sunlight.  The Bulb Man was in the forefront of innovative lighting including halogen fluorescents, compact fluorescents and LEDs.  He sold the business in 2011.

           Mr. Mangano was a member of the high school fraternity Tau Zeta Tau, and before and after retirement was a member and active officer of Buffalo’s Per Niente Club, for which he helped plan, organize and put into effect numerous charitable activities for the benefit of needy individuals, families and organizations in Buffalo and Western New York.  An example of the level of his commitment was his personal delivery of scholarship checks, holiday turkeys, and clothing to the club's beneficiaries.  He still met weekly for breakfast with his high school friends, enjoyed golf with Per Niente club members and had been an avid pickle ball player.

Recently, Mr. Mangano took commercial vehicle driver training for a position as a driver for First Student, for which he transported disabled children, who grew to love him in just one season, and called him "Mr. Bob".

He was pre-deceased by his parents and a sister, Jacqueline Damen.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Ursula Mangano (nee McHugh), and his loving family: a sister, Marilynn (Arthur Chubb) Buckham, a daughter Renee Marie (Ari) Bouris, a son Joseph Angelo, a grandson, Peter Robert Bouris, his niece Marilou Muscato Maglione, nephew Michael (Connie) Muscato and great-niece Alicia Muscato.     The family informs The News that a list of his friends would fill two editions.

Condolences may be given on-line at http://bit.ly/CondolencesForBobby

Donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Per Niente Christmas Club Fund, 264 Linden Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14216.
 

 

Bobby was in the School 45 1953 Graduating Class photo (Click it to enlarge)

Many of the graduates went to Lafayette High School.  The photo includes TZT brothers Bob Trigilio and Bobby
Photo courtesy of Mark Tiftickjian (in the 'Mr. B' collar).
Others in the photo include Rachel Cala, Bonnie Paladino, Carole Insinna and Marge Polito


 

Town Casino - 1954
Bob's date, to his left, was Sheila Scinta

Valentine Dance Preparation - 1955
Bob, Sam Liotta, Bob Trigilio

 
1995 Golf Trip

                           Mangano             Mascellino  Ari Bouris   Mascari    Gugino  Liotta               Fiorella    Genco      Coniglio

 

   

Joe Polito, Chuck Polito, Bob Mangano, Bill Tufillaro
Orlando golf outing, 1997

Bob, Ange, Joe, Dick Vara, Chuck, Sam and John
at Dick's retirement ~ 2001

   

TZT Reunion in Las Vegas ~ February 2002

Bob and Ursula

Joe and Louise Polio, Bob,
Marie and Carl Caccamise, Ursula

 

                           Bob,               Dick,                              John
                                             Joe Polito, Sam and Ange at Sam's 65th birthday
~ 2002

 

Joe Polito, Bob, Chuck Raccuia, Frank D'Arrigo and Ange Coniglio at a Buffalo Bills game ~ 2009

  

   

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club

 2008 Golf Trip ~ Chuck P.    Sam Genco                                     
 Ange        Dick   
Tony                Joe P.     John
      Sam Liotta                     Bob                           

2012 ~ The group in Buffalo at the Kenmore Village Restaurant
Left: Russ, Ange, Joe Cardinale, Mike Aronica
Right: Bob, John, Chuck Raccuia, Sam Genco, Tony

   

Bob's TZT brothers at the brunch commemorating his life at the Park Country Club, 2 August 2016

Tony, Sam, Dick, Sal, Chuck, Ange, John

Angie, Dolly, Gina, Marie, Dolores

 

Bob was a charter member and driving force of the Per Niente Club, and worked tirelessly in the club's efforts to make life better for needy families in Buffalo and Western New York.  Recognizing that, the club has established an annuall scholarship grant in his name.

The 2020 award was announced in the Summer 2020 issue of Per Niente Magazine.


 

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