Eugene "Gene" Manganello

WEST PITTSTON — Eugene L. "Gene" Manganello, 86, of West Pittston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born to the late Mary Menchi Manganello and Louis Manganello on Sept. 5, 1938 — Labor Day. He graduated from West Pittston High School in 1957 where he met his future wife, Catherine. After high school, he served in the United States Army as a specialist 4th class as a radar repairman.

Gene earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wilkes University, where he went on to work as director of human resources management and later as head of the bookstore. Upon his retirement, the university recognized his years of service with the title of director emeritus.

Gene was dedicated to serving his community. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus John F. Kennedy Council #372, Pittston, and he was a lifetime member of the Goodwill Hose Company. He was also a member of the Downtown Business Association and the West Pittston Civil Service Committee. He also served on the board of Ecumenical Enterprises Inc. and as president of the Tri-County Personnel Association. A devout Catholic, he was active in his beloved home parish, Immaculate Conception, now Corpus Christi Parish. He was a proud member of the choir for more than 20 years, and he faithfully served as a cantor and Eucharistic minister.

He will be remembered for being an enthusiastic conversationalist; an avid Yankees fan; an ice cream lover; a seasoned traveler and cruise aficionado; and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Catherine Fonzo; daughter, Rosemarie Kolbeck and husband, Kenneth, Dallas; son, Louis, and wife, Michele, Exeter; granddaughter, Jennifer Manganello and fiancé, Peter Agnone Ruane, Scranton; grandson, Matthew Kolbeck MD, and wife, Bailey, Syracuse, N.Y.; and granddaughter, Lauren Manganello and fiancé, Thomas Lewis, Alexandria, Va.; as well as a sister-in-law, Virginia; and two nephews and two great-nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joseph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday in Corpus Christi Parish, 605 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston. Relatives and friends may attend a viewing for Gene from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and again from 9 a.m. until Mass time Saturday morning in Corpus Christi Parish, 605 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston. Entombment with military honors will follow Mass in the Dennison Cemetery, Swoyersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Gene's honor may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements are by Howell-Lussi Funeral Home Inc., 509 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston.

Condolences can be left at Howelllussi.com.