File photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, former Ridgewood Mayor Patrick (Pat) A. Mancuso dies at 84, known for his cigar smoking and meeting and greeting residents and merchants walking up and down East Ridgewood Avenue . Pat was husband of Marie S. Mancuso, he passed away Friday, October 28, 2022 at Embrace Hospice House.A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, November 3, 2022, at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 2nd at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach.
Born July 23rd, 1938 in the Bronx, New York, he was the only child of Carmine “Charlie” and Nicoletta Mancuso.
Pat was predeceased by his parents and his eldest grandson, Ryan Mancuso.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Marie; sons Chas (Kim) and Patrick (Megan), and daughters Suzanne (Ben) and Michele (Dan); and seven adoring grandchildren who love him immensely: Kyle Mancuso, Morgan Kivler, Max Mancuso, Jake Mancuso, Ben Fehser, Summer O’Malley, and Jamie Fehser. He also leaves behind brother-in-law Tony Sansone, also of Myrtle Beach, and “brother” (an uncle the same age) Anthony Mancuso (Marie), of New City, New York.
Pat grew up on 163rd street, close to Yankee Stadium where he collected many famous autographs. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School where he was on the student council and then Fordham University where he majored in Economics. While in college, he met Marie, they fell in love and they married in 1962. After graduation, he was accepted to the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island where he was assigned to Little Creek Virginia with the Legendary Beach Jumpers unit. He was honorably discharged after three years to pursue a sales career first finding success at IBM and Honeywell before moving on to ADT. At 42 years old and with four kids at home, he took a leap of faith and started his own computer-leasing business, Palman Enterprises, LP. He ended his professional career at the North District Water Supply Commission of New Jersey, finally retiring in 2007.
Throughout the years he found the most personal gratification in serving his community. He was an active member of Ridgewood’s town council for more than two decades, first running for councilman and then serving as Village Mayor for four consecutive terms. He was instrumental in expanding downtown Ridgewood with a plethora of restaurants and outdoor cafes, widening the sidewalks, and implementing beautification projects. A proud American, he was valiantly patriotic and loved Ridgewood’s July 4th parade and giving speeches each year on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. He believed in the goodness of people and spoke about uniting people of all backgrounds by finding common ground.
He first found his love of community when he rallied town residents to “Save Vets Field” when the local government wanted to carve the field into a fire station. He created flyers, and T-shirts and enlisted his kids to go door to door to collect signatures. After leading a march through downtown Ridgewood, he successfully overturned the plans and the Veteran’s field remains a lively activity center for kids and seniors to this day.
Pat was also an active volunteer for recreational sports, most notably with the Ridgewood Jr. Football and Ridgewood High School Football Scholarship Committee, serving as President of both organizations. He also coached his sons and daughters in various activities including football, basketball, and softball.
He served as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary Club, and was a founding member of the Stable Hands Group.
In 2015, the Village of Ridgewood honored Pat by naming the new Senior Citizens Center in his name, an honor he was incredibly proud of.
Pat was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood, NJ.
He loved crossword puzzles, Sudoku, cheering on the Giants and Yankees, buying fresh Italian bread on Sundays, heath bar crunch ice cream, watching Cheers and Seinfeld, and most of all, spending time with his family. His kids fondly remember his original dish, spaghetti with eggs and cheese.
In 2018, Pat moved with his wife to Myrtle Beach, SC, near his eldest son, to golf and enjoy beautiful dinners for as long as he could.
Most recall Pat as a man of integrity and humor, but his unrelenting positivity was his most defining characteristic, especially during his final years of life, where he never complained or wallowed in self-pity. Even at the very end, he’d say he was “terrific” reminding his loved ones they “made his day.” His positive assessment of life was amazing, always optimistic through any obstacle.
His family loves him beyond measure and finds comfort in knowing his Guardian Angel, Ryan, will meet him at the Gates of Heaven and welcome him Home.
Rest in Peace, Pat, “Tad”, Pop-Pop. The best “Tad” ever. Until we meet again….
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 2nd from 5-7pm at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach.
So sad to learn of his passing. A real gentleman.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Mancuso. You were a good man and good for Ridgewood.
He was a good mayor he got involved, you know what was going on. And he took care of things. In all departments. Throughout the village. No favoritism
A good man. Decent to all.
Mayor Mancuso and Councilman Paul Callan both went to bat for me when I had a problem with the then Ridgewood Police Chief over a silly permit issue. Both were extremely helpful in resolving the issue within hours. The mayor was a good man and will be very fondly remembered.
I had to say this when he was mayor there was no bullshit games going on. Today it’s ridiculous. So many people don’t even know what else is going on, they think they know what’s going on.
We think whoever becomes the new mayor needs and should get involved with daily Dpw daily operations. Believe me it’s a must. Because what’s going on is not professional. And the village needs to follow civil service rules and regulations throughout the village. Not just in a few departments, and do whatever and a few other, it doesn’t work that way learn the laws. Or maybe we need some service to step in and overlook on what’s going on ,so the village Well follow the procedures.
“We think whoever becomes the new mayor needs and should get involved with daily Dpw daily operations. ” Did you ever hear of the Faulkner Act ?
Oh, Davey
Very well respected man. Very nice family.
Excuse me the Faulkner act, really , like that really works obviously not, stop the bullshit. Excuse me mayors like where I work in Paterson the mayor isn’t fault with everything, just like the mayor in Newark, and the mayor in New York City. It doesn’t matter if you’ll like them or not. The bottom line is they are involved and you can’t take that away from them they’re doing a great job. Or do you rather have mayors they just hide behind the desk . No one wants that we’ve been around a long time and it’s nice to see how it was years ago when Mays drove around in a town car and no exactly what was going on in every department. The village of Ridgewood it’s not a little town anymore it’s turning into a little city, so I guess we need to act like we are a city. Welcome to the New World. Just because I’m 70 years old doesn’t mean the whole way didn’t work. Respect your seniors be
Thank you.
If van goor wins we would like him too be our lesion to the fire department. Or maybe a few Other departments in town. Just like other towns have. Nothing new.
Only heard recently of former Mayor Pat Mancuso’s death. I had the honor of serving as his deputy mayor in the early 90’s. I am saddened to hear of his loss. He was a hard-working man of integrity who served the Village of Ridgewood well throughout his tenure. He and his wife, Marie, were always available to offer Ridgewood neighbors a helping hand. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. My condolences to Marie and the entire Mancuso family.