Aurelio R. and Jane Mangione celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary June 27, 2011. The couple was married June 27, 1941, at the First Methodist Church, in Hagerstown. They have lived in Columbia for the past eight years and are known as "Joe and Jane" to their friends.
Joe served as an enlisted member of the 92nd Bombardment Group of the Army Air Corps from June 30, 1943, to Aug. 27, 1944. He re-enlisted and served from August 28, 1944, to January 21, 1946, ultimately reaching the rank of first lieutenant. Joe worked as the Director of Local Governmental Services for the New Jersey Civil Service Commission in Newark, N.J. for 29 years until the couple retired to North Carolina. He is currently a member of Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church and exercises at the Columbia Gym and the Athletic Club.
Jane has been a homemaker all of her life. She plays bridge and golf, and collects Boyds teddy bears.
The couple previously traveled along the East Coast and to vacation rentals.
The Mangiones currently reside in Hickory Crest Active Adult Community. They have two daughters and son-in-laws, Debra and Mac Ramsey, of Columbia, and Connie and Joe Saunders, of Ellicott City. The couple also has six grandchildren, Heather and Larry Grimsley, of Sykesville; Amber and Bob Sites, of Woodstock; David and Ashley Saunders, of Golden, Colo.; Cara and Mike Haddaway, of Columbia; Amanda and Seth Williams, of Columbia; and Douglas Ramsey, of Columbia. They also have eight great-grandchildren: Katie Grimsley, Kyle Grimsley, Colin Grimsley, Madison Sites, Brooke Sites, Colby Saunders, Poppy Saunders and Tara Williams.
An anniversary celebration is planned.