James Mangas
James Mangas, age 97, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 with his family by his side. Born on June 16, 1924, in Fond du Lac, WI, he was the son of Peter and Olga Mangas. He graduated in 1942 from Roosevelt High School. For many years Jim enjoyed playing sports. He was an avid baseball player and played on many hardball and softball teams around the area.
In May of 1953, Jim took the love of his life, Joan, to the Chicago Cubs game. They married that day and began their love story of 55 years.
Jim has been an active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for 97 years. He enjoyed going to church, eating Greek food his wife made and talking Greek with his friends and family. Jim worked various jobs. He worked for many years on the Soo Line Railroad and was involved in moving the steam engine to Lakeside Park, at Giddings & Lewis and Vulcan’s Manufacturing.
Living almost a century, Jim has seen and lived through life changing events. His grandchildren loved listening to his stories about his parents moving from Greece and the struggles they had, the Great Depression, mafia activities in town, seeing former presidents, the G & L strike and so much more. Jim was an avid golfer, sports enthusiast, and casino visitor. Jim loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. Jim has been a loving father. His pride and joy has been his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his children, Nancy Sievert, Patti (Robbin) Eder, Peter (Kelly) Mangas, and Jennifer Boardman; his grandchildren, Courtney Eder, Zach (Lizzie) Eder, Ashley (Ryan Haskett) Eder, Nickki (Jason) Mack, Katie (Maddie) Boardman, Kali Boardman, and Austin Boardman; great grandchildren, Colin and Calix Mack and Theo Eder; two sisters, Stella Johnson and Helen Sippel; one brother-in-law, Jerry Thill; his godson, Gus Anthonasin; his best friend, John Demos; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan; son-in-law, James Sievert; grandchildren, Lindsay Eder and Taylore Canfield; sisters/brothers-in-law, Nancy (Tom) Wagner, Georgia Thill, Christine (Mike) Silvridis, John Johnson, Ambroise Sipple, and Audrey (Ken) Jacobs.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 198 N. Macy St, Fond du Lac. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday at church. The family would appreciate masks be worn during the visitation and funeral service. Burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.
Special thank you to the employees at Saint Francis Home and the nurses and doctors on the fourth floor at St. Agnes Hospital.
Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com