Rev. David D. Mangiante

The Reverend David D. Mangiante passed away peacefully on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the age of 94. Dave was born in Englewood, NJ to the late John & Josephine Mangiante. Dave graduated from Emerson High School in Union City, NJ and attended Rutgers University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. After working in New York City for three years, Dave found that he was being called to the ministry. Following prayerful consideration, Dave enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. While guest preaching during the summer following his first year in seminary, Dave met Elmira Beislie (known affectionately as Midy). Their meeting was truly an act of providence, as Midy only attended service two times that summer, due to her work schedule as a nurse. Yet these were the same two Sundays that Dave was asked to fill in as a guest preacher. The two soon fell in love and were married the following summer on August 24, 1957. After graduating from seminary in 1958 with a Master of Divinity, Dave was ordained into the Lutheran Church of America (LCA). Following graduation, Dave was called to his first parish, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bridgeton, NJ. While in Bridgeton, Dave and Midy were blessed with the birth of their two children, Nancy Sue and Jack David. After serving Christ Lutheran for 5 years, Dave was called to Nativity Lutheran Church in East Brunswick, NJ, where he served faithfully for 7 years before being called to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hainesport, NJ in 1970. It was in Hainesport that Dave and Midy put down roots and became an integral part of the community. Having grown up in urban North Jersey, Dave found beauty in the openness of rural Hainesport. Known for his intellect and wisdom, Dave was the classic ‘people person’. He was a tremendous leader and speaker, and all who met him were instantly drawn in by the warmth of his engaging personality. He had a myriad of hobbies that ranged from gardening to reading, to working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He was an accomplished musician and continued to play the piano his whole life. He enjoyed movies and all sorts of games and sports, including playing golf and tennis with his friends. His greatest joy, though, came when he could spend time visiting with family and friends, playing cards or dominoes, or simply sharing stories of times spent together. After serving the congregation at St. Paul’s for 23 years, Dave retired in 1993. While he was retired from full-time ministry, he continued to spread the word of God, traveling around the state of New Jersey as a guest preacher until he retired in full in 2019 at the age of 89. Dave is survived by his wife, Midy, daughter Nancy Williams and her daughter, Amanda Williams; son, Jack, along with his wife Nancy and their children, Katherine, and Michael. Brother-in-law, Tom Newton Sr., nephew Tom Newton Jr., his wife Carolyn, niece Linda Newton Moore, her husband Chris, and their daughter Megan Moore Anderson. Niece Cindy Newton Moynahan, her husband Sean, and her children Josh Keen & Danielle Keen Paikuli. Niece Patty Mangiante Thomas, her husband Raymond Thomas Sr. and their sons, Raymond Jr., and Zachary. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, John who passed away earlier in the year; sister-in-law, Fran Izzo Mangiante, sister-in-law Connie Beislie Newton and nephew, John Mark Mangiante. We invite you to celebrate the life of David D. Mangiante at a visitation on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 910 Marne Highway, Hainesport, NJ 08036. The funeral service will be on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM, also at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church followed by the committal service in the church’s Memorial Garden. In lieu of Flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hainesport, or Silver Bay YMCA in Silver Bay NY.

Rev. David D. Mangiante

June 16, 1930 - September 6, 2024