Businessman, Breeder John Manganaro Dies

John Manganaro, a successful and respected businessman in New England who later developed a racing and breeding operation in Kentucky, passed away Aug. 13 at Mass. General Hospital. He was 83 years old.

Known affectionately to his family and close friends as 'Chickie,” Manganaro was born into an Italian-American family in 1934 and became an elite athlete during his high school years, excelling in track and in football. Once remarked to have “running back speed and fullback power,” Manganaro was a member of the Everett championship team in 1952 and was a favorite among his peers and classmates.

Shortly after his high school graduation, Manganaro was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956 stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was recognized by the Army for his organizational and analytical skills and was made a company clerk/orderly. In 1958, he took leave from the Army and returned to Boston to wed Geraldine d'Amico, to whom he remained married until the time of his passing.

The second-oldest son of John Sr. and Vera Manganaro, John Manganaro formed Manganaro Brothers with his father and brothers and began to ply their trade as union plasterers in and around Boston, where they gained a reputation for being tough, but fair while performing quality work. Under John Manganaro's leadership, the business grew into a regional powerhouse construction company and today, with John's second son David at the help, Manganaro New England and Manganaro Mid-Atlantic is one of the most successful businesses of its kind, specializing in drywall, masonry and specialties.

With his oldest son Paul, Manganaro turned his passion for horses and horse racing into a successful operation in the Bluegrass, boarding mares at Spendthrift and Lane's End. At the former nursery, Manganaro befriend the farm's then general manager John Williams, and a relationship–both business and personal–ensured for the better part of the next four decades.

“He was a strong guy and a wonderful character. I really enjoyed being with him all these years,” said Williams when reached by phone Wednesday afternoon. “He was a very, very loyal man, and I was tremendously proud of our association

Williams added, “If he liked you, he genuinely liked you. If he felt you were a good man, he was with you to the end. John Manganaro was a great supporter of mine. He did exactly what he said he would do and supported you in every way. Whatever I would recommend, I had free hand to do so. He never questioned the costs of what was involved for doing what was right for the horse. He had success in this game and moreover, he got his son Paul interested and it's a lifelong passion for him. Because of john, Paul is one of my dearest friends. I thank John for Paul and many other things. For him to consider me a friend was a complete honor.”

In 2001, Manganaro paid $420,000 through Ned Toffey for then 3-year-old filly Takesmybreathaway (Gone West), a half-sister to Mutakddim (Seeking the Gold) at the Keeneland November sale. Bred to Giant's Causeway, the first foal produced by the mare for the Manganaros was Frost Giant, a Grade I winner in the U.S. and dual Group 3 winner in Ireland and now a prominent New York-based stallion. The Manganaros also bred SW Breathless Storm and Frost Giant's GSP full-brother Heavy Breathing. Among other horses bred by Manganaro alone or in partnership include GSW Chimchurri (Elusive Quality) and SW Cerro (Ire) (Mr. Greeley).

Manganaro is survived by his wife of 58 years, Geraldine, four children–Paul Manganaro, Carla Ward, Leah Manganaro Paglia and David Manganaro—and 13 grandchildren. Manganaro's brother, Anthony Manganaro, is the chairman and owner of Siena Farm, part-owner of GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister). Anthony Manganaro was recently elected to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors.

“He loved his family dearly. They were good, good people,” said Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate or mailed to MGH Development Office, Attn: Carrie Powers, Dr. Gilbert H. Daniels, Dr. Lori J. Wirth, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA, 02114. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Eulalia's Church, 50 Ridge St., Winchester, MA, Thursday Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. At the family's request visiting hours have been omitted. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. Refreshments and light fare following at Cafe Escadrille, 26 Cambridge St, Burlington, MA.

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