 MORRIS PLAINS -- Paul Bangiola, 86, born in Basking Ridge on Jan. 9, 1923, died at St. Clare's Hospital, Denville, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009.
He was a graduate of St. Virgil's Elementary School, Boonton High School, Rutgers College, and Rutgers University Law School, Newark. During World War II, he enlisted as an aviation cadet in the United States Army Air Corps, June 30, 1942. After operational training through the Third Air Force in Perry, Fla., he was transferred overseas and joined the 57th Fighter Group, 66th Fighter Squadron, Naples, Italy, whereupon he participated in the transfer of the group from Naples to Corsica, and the commencement of "Operation Strangle." He flew 50 missions until he was seriously wounded in action on his 50th mission, while strafing a gun emplacement near Buca, Italy. He participated in dive-bombing and strafing missions, and the interdiction of supply lines. The last mission flown on May 27, 1944, resulted in a crash landing on Corsica, after sustaining four hits from 20mm ground fire. After an 8-month hospitalization and 14 months on the ground, he was restored to flying status and separated from the service on March 18, 1946, with the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Purple Heart, Air Medal; ETO Battle Ribbon, Eto Theatre with 2 battle stars; American Theatre Medal and Victory Medal. In addition, he participated in the award of the Presidential Unit Citation of the 57th Fighter Group.
A lifelong resident of Morris Plains, Paul Bangiola lived a life committed to public service in a broad array of civic, charitable and political activities. He was a member of the VFW, the Knights of Columbus, and Rotary International. He volunteered with the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and served on the Board of the Morris Area Girl Scouts. He was a member of the St. Virgils's Parish Council. He was instrumental in developing the P47 Thunderbolt collection at the New England Air Museum and was past president of the P47 Thunderbolt Fighter Pilot's Association. As an attorney for 31 years in private practice in Morris Plains he served as an attorney for the Morris Plains School Board, Morris Area Girl Scouts, the Borough of Morris Plains, and St. Virgil's Parish. He was elected President of the Morris County Bar Association. He represented a diverse array of clients in a variety of matters before the state and federal courts, and argued several cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court. He served on the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
In 1981, he was appointed to the Superior Court of New Jersey, where he served as Presiding Judge of the Civil Division at the time of his retirement in 1993. He continued to serve after being recalled to the bench until 1996 when he fully retired. As a judge, he practiced kindness and humility in his dealings with litigants, lawyers, and court personnel, as consistent with the requirements of law and justice. Paul Bangiola was elected mayor of Morris Plains in 1960, and re-elected twice, serving from 1961-1967. At the time of his election, he was the only Democrat ever elected to any Morris Plains office in its entire history. As mayor of Morris Plains, he spearheaded the acquisition of the land to build Community Park. In order to persuade a reluctant Morris Plains Borough Council to complete the purchase the land now known as Community Park, the location of three baseball fields, a senior citizens center, municipal swimming pool and pond, he personally purchased an option to buy the land for a bargain price of $25,000 and then offered to transfer the property to the borough for just the cost of the option -- $100. The Borough Council finally agreed.
As a founding member and first President of the Occupational Training Center for the Handicapped, he started the organization that has now evolved into Employment Horizons, a comprehensive regional training resource for those challenged by mental and physical disabilities. Paul Bangiola stood on the shovel that broke ground for the first building. His gifts to his family and many friends, who grieve his loss and celebrate his life are his memorable jokes, his faith in God, his love for others, his commitment to family, and his ability to bring out the best in everyone. He was married in 1946, and is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Elsie Alexander Bangiola; their eight children and their partners, Catherine and Stuart Feenstra of Stillwater, Theresa Landrigan of Edison, Mary and Ronald Phillips of Morris Plains, Donna Bangiola of Morristown, Barbara and B. Joseph Messner of Leawood, Kansas, Margaret and Stephen Wilcox of Danville, Calif., Paul M. Bangiola and Nancy M. Bangiola of Morristown, and Robert J.A. Bangiola of New York City; 17 grandchildren, Jonathan Feenstra, Colin and Thomas Landrigan, Mathew and Megan Phillips, Edwin Eaton Fairfield, III, Daniel, Joseph, and Thomas Wilcox, Benedict, Anne, Mary, Mark and Christopher Messner, and Paul M., Jr., Gloria E., and Aldo Joseph Bangiola, and one great granddaughter, Ella Messner. He is also survived by two beloved sisters, Cecelia Bangiola of Parsippany, and Antionette Ayres of Delaware. He was predeceased by his sister, Madeline Bangiola, in 1970, and a granddaughter, Christine Marie Feenstra, in 1997.
Viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Virgil's Parish. Interment at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Employment Horizons, 10 Ridgedale Ave., Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.
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