BERNE — Joseph Anthony Mangano, a veteran and science teacher, developed learning centers for adult literacy that were adopted worldwide.

He died unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, at St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 95.

Mr. Mangano was born on June 26, 1922, on the kitchen table in Little Italy in the Bronx, New York, to the late Philip and Teresa (née Volina) Mangano. He graduated from Evander Childs High School at the age of 16.

He went on to Fort Hays University in Kansas where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and met his beloved wife of 63 years, Ethel Lucile Kline, who died in 2007. He went on to obtain a master of arts degree in curriculum instruction from New York University.

During World War II, he worked for Calco Chemical Co. in New Jersey researching rocket fuel retardants, so that rockets could take off without exploding. Later he served for over two years as a Naval Pharmacist Mate at Pearl Harbor and on the USS Wasp aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

Mr. Mangano taught elementary and high school science in Mahopac, New York for 16 years, becoming head of the science department. He also started diver education in the state of New York, ran an adult-education program, was commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, led a Boy Scout troop, was in the volunteer fire department, served as president of the Rolling Greens Development Association, and was a member of the Kiwanis.

Mr. Mangano also worked for 16 years as the chief of the Bureau of General Continuing Education of the New York State Department of Education. He conceived and developed learning centers for adult literacy, which were adopted both nationally and internationally.

He served another 16 years as a research associate and project director at the University at Albany, researching the reorganization of two-year colleges to accommodate non-traditional learners.

Joe and Lucille Mangano bought an 1803 farmhouse in West Berne, where he lived for 54 years. There he continued to enjoy fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

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Joseph Anthony Mangano is survived by the wife of his late son, Philip Bert Mangano, Cindy Mangano, of Eagle, Idaho; Robert Joseph Mangano and his wife, Patsy, of Petaluma, California; and Tish (Lucile) Teresa Karpoy and her husband, Kurt, of Johnstown, New York.

He is also survived by four grandchildren, Klaire E. Knapp and her husband, Jadon; Karson M. Karpoy and his wife, Chelsea, Kaye E. Houtz and her husband, Joe; and Lieutenant (junior grade) Joseph A. Mangano of the United States Navy.

He is survived, too, by two great-granddaughters, Parker A. Houtz and Josephine F. Karpoy; a niece, Arlene O’Dell, and her husband, Doug; two nephews, Glen Muschio and his wife, Anja, and John Muschio; his loving companion of the last eight years, Ann Drennan; his best friend of 68 years, Edward Logigan; and many other loving friends.

His wife, Ethel Lucile Kline, died in 2007 and his son Philip Bert Mangano died 2017. His sister, Carmela Muchino, and her husband, John, also died before him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. at Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont.