William “Bill” Patrick Petit de Mange, age 94, preceded in death by his wife, Mary T. Petit de Mange, with whom he shared 60 years of a happy marriage, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021.
Bill was born in 1927, to the late Calver and Mary Petit de Mange and grew up in Chester, PA. Bill graduated from Saint James Catholic High School for Boys in 1945 where he was #41 on the football team. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, as World War II was still in progress. He served on the USS Pocono. The war ended and he was honorably discharged in 1946. Bill attended the Pennsylvania Military College and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Bill was employed at DuPont for 35 years in Wilmington, DE. After a year of retirement, he decided to return to the workforce as a mutual fund accountant for PNC Bank where he was employed for 5 years. After a second retirement, Bill was a volunteer at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA for 15 years. He was a happy gardener and thoroughly enjoyed his time at Longwood. He was also a 56+ year member of Council #4425 of The Knights of Columbus.
After their wedding in 1956, Bill and Mary made their home in Wilmington, DE where they were active members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish. Bill and Mary were blessed with three children: Mary Frey (Larry), Gerry (Alexia), and Anne Flaherty (Gerry). Bill was a 40+ year member of the Schola Cantorum, the renowned IHM men’s choir which recorded a record on RCA. He sang bass.
Bill was Pop-Pop to eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In addition to Mary, Bill was preceded in death by his son, Gerard J. Petit de Mange, a granddaughter and a grandson.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, where Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1:30 PM. Interment will be immediately following Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, Greenville, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to The Ministry of Caring 115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE. 19801.
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