Joseph F. Mange

Joseph F. Mange, 79, a lifelong resident of West Chester, PA, died peacefully in the early morning hours of November 14, 2017 at Chester County Hospital. 

He was a loving husband to Barbara Mange (nee Sabatini), with whom he shared 34 wonderful years of marriage. 

Born in 1938 to James and Santa Mange, Joe attended West Chester High School and spent much of his career in the furniture business, employed by Kahn & Roseau, Kauffman’s Furniture and Chertok’s, and later his own businesses including J&M Finishing Touch and Partner’s Furniture.  Joe was a good salesman, but would always find a way to help someone who needed to furnish a home, with a handshake and a promise to pay when they could.  Never one to stay idle for long, Joe spent recent years working at Palace Packaging, and alongside his family keeping everything running at the Chester Valley Dance Academy, where he was primarily property manager but often stole the show with performances in The Nutcracker and Recitals.  

Joe was very active in his community with interests in Big Brothers, Sons of Italy, the Italian Social Club, St. Agnes Church, Chester County Hospital Attic Attack, supporting Special Olympics, and recently a member of SS Philip and James Church in Exton.

He was a huge fan of the Philadelphia Sports teams, especially The Phillies and Eagles, reveling in the highs and languishing in the lows with his morning paper and coffee.  Joe enjoyed quiet time sitting and working on his crossword puzzles, but really loved spending time with his family and friends - meeting for breakfast, watching his grandkids sporting events, fishing (although not catching), playing pinochle and poker, or just sharing a nice glass of chianti. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived and greatly missed by his daughter Denise Mange, son Vincent Mange and daughter-in-law Jodi, step-children Leonard Bartelmo (JoAnn), Michael Bartelmo, Cathy Moran (Pete) and Debbie Bartelmo.  Pop-pop will be long remembered by grandchildren Nicholas, Joseph, and Leonard Bartelmo; Luke, Brendan and Sophia Moran; Savanna and Kahlea Sachar; Francesca Lombardi; and Lane Mange - his “sidekick”. 

In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by brothers Caspar Carnella and Albert Mange, sister Nancy Mange Troupe, and Ann Louise Mange (Dellaquila) to whom he was previously married.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 6:00-8:00pm at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380; 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com and on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 10:00am-12:00noon at SS. Philip and James Church, 107 N. Ship Rd. Exton, PA 19341; followed by his Funeral Mass at 12:00 noon.

Interment will be held in St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lane Mange Irrevocable Deed of Trust, 225 Sandy Way, Coatesville, PA 19320.

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