Gaspare J. “Jim” Mannone passed away on March 21, 2007 at the Whidden Memorial Hospital. He was 84 years old.
Born in Boston, Gaspare lived in Charlestown and Somerville before settling in Everett. He joined the National Guard in the late 1930’s and was activated as a guardsman and sent on maneuvers until early December 1941. He then returned home to Camp Edwards, MA and was given a weekend leave. He was expecting to go home after his one-year deployment but the events of Sunday, December 7, 1941 changed that. His service was extended.
Gaspare was in the 101st Infantry of the 26th (Yankee) Division. In 1943 the US Army reorganized the 328th Regiment and assigned it to the 26th Division. They needed cadre and transferred men from the 101st Infantry and the 104th Infantry to the 328th and thus Gaspare became a member of that regiment serving in the Rhineland in Central Europe. In combat, Gaspare was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry under fire. He was also awarded many other medals including the Eastern Service Medal, the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. He remained with the 328th throughout the conflict, was given a battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant, advanced to 1st Lieutenant and after active duty discharge Gaspare rejoined his original National Guard outfit, the 101st Infantry, and served for many years until his retirement with the rank of Captain. In total, his military service spanned over 40 years.
A past member of the Yankee Division Veterans Association (YDVA), Gaspare has contributed immensely to the history of the YDVA by dozens of videos of a myriad of military activities over the years.
Gaspare was married to the late Dorothy (Perry) Mannone. He is survived by his children, Joseph Mannone and his wife Janet of Malden, James Mannone and his wife Linda of Revere, Deborah Kenney and her husband James of Somerville, Anthony Mannone of Everett, Donna Lakin and her husband Walter of NH, Diane Mannone of Revere, John Mannone of Everett and the late Dorothy Fagen. He was the father-in-law to Francis Fagen of Maine and the dear brother of Vincenza Mannone of Stoneham. Gaspare was also the cherished grandfather of 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
The Funeral will be held from the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden on Saturday, March 24th at 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford at 11:30 am. Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend. Visiting hours are on Friday, March 23rd from 3-8 pm. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Mannone’s name may be made to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Recreation Dept., 91 Crest Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150.