Salvatore Robert Mangerpan

Mr. Salvatore Robert Mangerpan, of St. George and previously Santa Clara, Utah, went home to Heaven on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the age of 92.

Salvatore was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 19, 1930, to Dorothy Comparetto (nee Spina), the first of four surviving children. Raised in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, the family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from James J. Ferris High School (Jersey City) in 1949. During the early winter of 1946 he unexpectedly met the love of his life, Clara Louise DeMasi. They were inseparable since.  

After graduation, in 1950, he began his career with Western Electric as an electrical draftsman. His career advanced to an Engineer, and he retired from AT&T Long Lines in 1989 as an Expediter.

Salvatore and Clara were married August 19, 1950, at St. Lucy’s Church (Jersey City, New Jersey), and started their married life in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

Salvatore was drafted during the Korean War and served from 1952-1954 in Berlin, Germany. He served with the 759th Army Battalion as a Military Policeman, with the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Occupation Medal (Germany) and National Defense Service Medal. During his free time, he visited the beautiful countryside of Germany, and visited orphanages. During this time, Clara continued to work. They corresponded endlessly, with Salvatore including pictures of the many beautiful places he visited.

After Salvatore was honorably discharged in 1954, they were together again and never were apart. In November 1956 they welcomed their only child, Michele Claire. Salvatore attended Fairleigh Dickinson University while working at Western Electric.

As a child, Michele fondly remembers her father coming home every night from work to a delicious meal prepared by Clara and sitting down for dinner as a loving family. He was always an avid photographer and has endless movies (now videos) and pictures of all of Michele’s milestones throughout life. He supported Michele throughout her school extracurricular activities, attending every football game where she was part of Lyndhurst High School Color Guard. He encouraged her throughout college. During his career as an Expediter, he worked in tandem with Michele, a memory she cherishes.

In 1973, they bought their first home in Saddle Brook, NJ. In 1983, Salvatore and Clara sold their Saddle Brook home, Clara’s mother Louise (now widowed) sold her home in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and they purchased their next home in Randolph, New Jersey. April 2015 Salvatore and Clara purchased a home in Santa Clara, Utah, to be near their daughter Michele and her husband Ed. In January 2022, Salvatore and Clara moved in with Michele and Ed.

Salvatore was a loving, devoted, generous and protective soul to his family. He always made Clara and Michele his priority, no matter what. He was an admired family member and the patriarch. As a friend, he was always fun company and loved bragging about Clara’s amazing cooking. Although a quiet man, he was known for his one-line jokes. He enjoyed a good card game, and crime shows. He loved to talk about his beloved Germany and his many experiences while stationed there. He extended his love to their many close friends that he considered extended family.

Salvatore and Clara celebrated 71 loving years of marriage in 2021. They were the exemplary married couple, going through life’s ups and downs, as life continued. They were an inspiration to all who met them. Theirs was a fairytale love story.

Salvatore was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Clara, mother, Dorothy Comparetto, brother, George Comparetto, and in-laws, Joseph and Louise DeMasi. He is survived by their loved daughter Michele and son-in-law Edward Lovell DeBerry, Jr. and his grand-dog Petunia with whom he lived. He is also survived by his brother Louis Mangerpan (Barbara) of Toms River, New Jersey, sister Patricia Norcia (Peter John, deceased) of Toms River, New Jersey, sister-in-law Mary Quinn of Pennsylvania, many nieces and nephews, and a plethora of friends across the country.

A private family viewing and Military Honors were held under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary Services. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests your donation in Salvatore’s memory to a charity of your choice.

Friends and family are invited to sign Salvatore Mangerpan’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

If you knew him, you know what unconditional love is.