Patrick W. "Pat" Mancini, Sr.

A Memorial Mass for Patrick W. “Pat” Mancini, Sr., age 83, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 2300 W. Madison Avenue in Norfolk. Reverend Vincent Germace will be celebrant.

His ashes will be placed at Omaha National Cemetery at a later date.

Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644, American Legion Post 16, and United States Navy Honor Guard.

Pat’s family will greet guests from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service on Thursday.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Pat died Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Stanton Health Center in Stanton, Nebraska.

Patrick William Mancini was born on November 15, 1942, to Pasquale “Patsy” and Theresa Mancini in Youngstown, Ohio. Pat graduated from Chaney High School in 1960 and enlisted in the US Navy.  He was always excellent at math and geometry and soon found his place on the USS Saratoga as a Quartermaster, 2nd Class, helping to navigate the large aircraft carrier through the Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was positioned outside Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, he struck up a pen pal correspondence with Mary Ellen Butler.

Soon, Pat and Mary Ellen fell in love through writing letters. They were united in Holy Matrimony on June 6, 1964, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Youngstown. Pat completed his service in January of 1965 and began working at US Steel in Youngstown. Over the next five years, the couple welcomed four children.

During this time Pat often worked several jobs, and thanks to the GI bill, was able to attend Youngstown State University at the same time. He graduated in 1973 as a designer specializing in steel production. Over the next decade, the couple, and their now five children, moved often as Pat took positions with various steel companies. During their time in McDonald, Ohio, Pat was elected to the Village Board. While in Colliers, West Virginia, he often volunteered with athletics for his children’s sports teams. In 1983, Pat accepted a position as a Roll Designer at Nucor Steel in Norfolk, Nebraska, where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

A Norfolk resident from 1983 until 2013, Pat was extremely involved in serving his community, particularly with the Knights of Columbus. In the 1980’s, Pat began the Knights of Columbus Lenten fish fries which he led for many years. He served as a 4th degree Grand Knight, a District Deputy, and a state officer for the Knights. A passionate lover of sport, Pat also spent many years umpiring fast-pitch softball, eventually at the collegiate level. Pat had many hobbies. He enjoyed bicycling, woodworking, building projects for his home, and RV camping.

In 1997, he and his son Matthew rode their bicycles 1100 miles from Norfolk to Youngstown to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

In 2012, Pat suffered a massive stroke. For six years, Mary cared for him at their new home in Columbus, Nebraska. In 2019, Pat moved to the Stanton Care Center where he resided until his death on May 28, 2026.

A family man, an avid sports fan, a driven achiever, and a man of deep faith, Pat will be greatly missed by friends and family. He leaves behind Mary Ellen, his wife of 62 years and five children: Christopher (Tammy) Mancini, Norfolk, NE; Rosemary (Paul) Blake, Wentzville, MO; Patrick Jr (Reneille) Mancini, Taylor Lake Village, TX; Matthew (Norma) Mancini, Youngstown, OH; and Amy Mancini, Columbus, NE. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Jennifer Hall, Benjamin Mancini, Alyssa Graham, Samantha Blake, Abbigail Marshall, Sophia Mancini, and Bridgette Mancini; four step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Pat was preceded in death by his mother, father, and brother James Mancini.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Pat’s memory in lieu of flowers may do so to Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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