John Mangan Obituary

John Mangan passed away Easter Thursday, April 16, 2009. He was born February 21, 1915, to Thomas and Ellen (Aherne) Mangan at Carrickerry, Ireland in the Parish of Ardagh. Completing his primary education at the age of 14, he farmed for his grandparents and uncle until the age of 27, when he enrolled at the Noviciate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. At the completion of his schooling, he became known as Brother John Mangan, OMI and transferred to St. Conleth's Reformatory School in Daingean, where he was a group counselor and supervisor. Subsequent course work was completed at St. Ida's High School, Mt. Melleray Seminary, St. John's Seminary Camarillo, Los Angeles and Seattle University, where he graduated in the spring of 1957, with a degree in Sociology. During his Seattle U years, John left a little time to socialize at the Irish Club, where he met and fell in love with Brigid Colreavy. They married on June 29, 1957, at St. Anne's Church in Seattle. In 1958, John became the Chief Probation Officer for the Municipal Court of the City of Seattle (the Hon. Walter T. McGovern and Hon. Charles Z. Smith), where he remained for five years. He was then hired by the King County Justice Court as the first County Probation Officer in the state. After a five year stint with Boeing, he relocated the family to Wenatchee in 1970, where he began working for the Douglas County Juvenile Court. He retired as Administrator in 1982. John was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus and as a Eucharistic Minister for 20 years, taking communion to those who were unable to attend mass due to illness or immobility. He was also a board member of the Peace Officers Association of Chelan and Douglas Counties.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; and three sisters. John is survived by his loving wife, Brigid; his children, Kevin (Cheryl) Mangan of San Diego, CA, Shawn (Robin) Mangan of Tucson, AZ, Brendan Mangan and Maureen Mangan, both of Seattle and Sheila (David) Douglas of Moscow, ID; grandchildren, Ryan and Dustin Mangan, Claire and Joe Mangan and Mackenzie Douglas; and siblings, Bridie Kiely of Carrickerry, Ireland and Sister Rosaline Mangan of Birmingham, England.
John will be remembered for his humor and cheer, his songs and poems, and his many years visiting the sick and shut-in in Wenatchee. He was a loving and devoted husband, a caring father and a true friend to many. He will be missed.
A Vigil and Rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2009, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian burial by nephew, Fr. Tom Mangan of Limerick, Ireland, Fr. Tom Kuykendall, Fr. Seamus Kerr and Fr. Juan Godina will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the church, with Concluding Services and Interment following at Evergreen Memorial Park in East Wenatchee. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Joseph's Church Building Fund.