Ernest w. Mangini,89,of Rosemount Lane, West Haven, formerly of Woodbridge, died Sept. 16,2009 at the west Haven V.A Medical Center after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of 69 years of Marie Pella Mangini. Ernie was born in New Haven July 6,1920, the son of the late James and Rose Calamita Mangini and was a combat infantry veteran of WWII, a member of the first Inf.Div of the US Army "Big Red One" during the Ardennes offensive, ( Battle of the bulge). Ernie was an ex prisoner of war who was liberated by the British Army in 1945. He was awarded numerous medals,citations, and the Purple Heart for his courage and outstanding service. Ernie was a man of quiet dignity who loved spening time with his family and friends. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generousity and will forever be remembered as a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather by his sons Ernest Mangini of wallingford and Michael& his wife Pamela Mangini and beloved Granddaughter, Melissa Mangini, all of Hamden. Ernie was pre-deceased by brothers Louis, Frank, Albert, and Edward Mangini. Funeral, with full military honors, Monday 9:15 from the Peter H.Torello & Son Funeral Home , 1022 Dixwell ave. Hamden, and at Our lady of the Assumption Church, Center Rd. Woodbridge, at 10 o'clock. Friends may call SUNDAY from 3 to 7 pm.Interment in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Ex-Prisoners of War Foundation, 916 Bingham Dr.,Fayetteville, NC, 28304. "Truely the Greatest Generation"