Herbert Eugene Mancini

He was born Nov. 3, 1927, in Youngstown. He was the son of Christy and Angela Alexander Mancini.

Herb graduated from Chaney High School and attended Ohio University. He began a lifelong love of baseball, playing locally in 1946. He entered the U.S. Army that year. While serving in the Army, he was fortunate to play baseball in South Korea and Hawaii. While in Hawaii, his outstanding performance as shortstop fueled his passion for baseball.

Upon his return from the Army, he signed a professional baseball contract with the New York Yankees to play Major League Baseball. He played in Maryland, Georgia and Virginia, where he set the league’s long standing stolen base record. He then played throughout the states with other minor league affiliates, such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. After reaching the Class AAA level in the minor leagues, an injury ended his playing career.

Herb then married Josephine Delle Fave on Sept. 25, 1954. Together they had three daughters Sherry, Chris and Carla. After Josephine’s passing in 1969, Herb married Mary Ann Chovan on Feb. 5, 1977.

He was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Christine Church.

Herb began his distinguished career with the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years, advancing to management, and retired in June 1986. In addition to his tenure with the Postal Service, his love for baseball remained ever present in his life. He began a part-time career as a professional baseball scout for the Major League Scouting Bureau and retired in 1993.

Throughout his life, Herb achieved many proud accomplishments, including hall of fame selections to Chaney High School, Youngstown Baseball Old-Timers and Curbstone Coaches. Above all else, Herb cherished his family and held them dear to his heart. He loved spending time with his daughters and their families, including his precious grandchildren. He loved attending their sporting events and supporting all of their special interests. Herb promoted strong family values and Italian traditions, and enjoyed celebrating holidays and family milestones together.

Beyond his professional pursuits, he was an avid golfer up to the age of 94, finding such pleasure on the green. He especially enjoyed his many friendships made on the course and his most memorable shot was his hole-in-one at Lakeside Golf Course. He loved card night with his best friends, as well as watching all major league baseball games, especially the New York Yankees.

Herb was preceded in death by his first wife, Josephine; parents, Christy and Angela Mancini; sisters, Loretta (Marvin) Hartzell and Donna (William) Leskovec; brother, Howard (Ginny) Mancini; and his sister-in-law, Carlotta (Bill) Fercana.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife Mary Ann Mancini; daughters, Sherry (Mike) Borovitcky, Chris (Don) Yankle and Carla (Jeff) Chahine; along with his grandchildren, Michelle and Nicole Borovitcky; Donny and Jaclyn Yankle; Jeffrey, Joelle and Jillian Chahine; and many nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed by all and his memory will live on in the hearts of all he touched.

Family and friends may gather to pay their respects 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at St. Christine Catholic Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. A military honor salute will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Christine Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home.

The family of Herb Mancini would like to thank those who gave compassionate care to him during his stay at Briarfield Place.