We report with sadness the passing of legendary New Haven freelance newsman John Mongillo. His phone calls to the state’s TV and radio newsrooms kept them informed and supplied with video from breaking news stories. We’re told that he had hip replacement surgery a few weeks ago but we don’t know much beyond that. He was a crucial addition to many newsrooms (pictured below he’s at WTNH’s going-away party for photog Tim Wright in April). 
John’s father worked at WTNH many years and there he was known as “Senior”….John Mongillo was known as “Junior”.
From a WTNH alum: “John’s big strength was that he knew everything going on with the cops…and his tips ALWAYS panned out.”
He will be deeply missed.
(photos courtesy of Kenn Venit)
So sad to hear of this! My thoughts and prayers with his family!
What a great guy. RIP Johnny Mong!
If it happened in Connecticut, John knew about it and shared it with all of us. He will be so missed.
My heart is so empty, I am so saddened by this loss. A good friend who i could only have recognized by his voice, our “Charlie” you are now with the angels…
Mong on the phone…for you. (sigh.)
[…] coming to Connecticut nearly 30 years ago.Junior was a larger than life character in every way. The Laurel referred to him as legendary. If he hadn’t been born Damon Runyon would have surely been […]
Classmates, when I went off to college to study Radio/TV he had already established himself as THE go-to stringer for the entire New Haven area. And had been since the day he got his drivers license at 16. He was a really good guy who spent a lifetime doing what he loved. He will be missed. A lot.
Johnny Mong…I will be missing you dearly….You were truly “The Big Man” and so loved….I am so sad about you’re sudden passing and I send my deepest sympathies to your family. You are now with the angels…<3
We all had a great, great friend in “Junior.”
A true friend, a guy with grit and tenacity in the field … a big man with a heart to match. He loved what he did, and he did it so well. We all learned something from him. Thanks for the memories, Junior! And our deepest sympathies to your family! They will be in our prayers, as will YOU!
Al Terzi
My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family. “Mong” had a deep passion for news and I learned so much from him. I always loved it when he would call with a tip or when he would stop by the station. Thank you John for being a mentor. You are heaven’s newest “news angel”
Sara Welch
Please … will you post memorial service info????
Ill miss Johnny Mong calling us to find out whats going on. It might sound simple but it was much deeper than that. It wasnt just about the incidents going on, he was always concerned about my family, and what else was going on. We had countless Yankees chats. What a great guy, it won’t be the same without his phone calls during my shift! Rest easy John Ill see you at the big one in the sky 1 day!
So sad one of the first I met in the business, always will keep your photos and stories. Many that you took of things that shaped my career.
We called him Johnny on the spot, he had his own line so we knew when he was calling. What a great man, he will be missed.Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Very sad news. I’m absolutely shocked. Life will be quite different without talking to John on the phone at various times every week. Many thanks to John for everything he’s done for me over the years and the guidance he’s given me. Not only was John a media icon, he was a friend and teacher.
RIP John, you will be missed, let’s cover a story together once we meet again.
Wake 4-8 pm on Thursday eve No Haven
Funeral Friday morning
Details will be posted in tomorrows New Haven Register
John Mongillo was one of the coolest guys I ever met.I was just a kid but he treated like I was accepted as one of the men.He and my father were friends and had alot of history together.John didn’t know it, but I looked up to him.He was fit always well dressed,had a well groomed Itailian afro….please understand this was 1975……He was very hip for the times… I knew he took pictures for the paper but that didn’t mean that much to me.What I did know was that this good friend of my fathers was always respectful,and kind to me.I was just a kid,but he treated me as though I was one of the guys…I knew I was just a goof-ball kid but when he was around I didn’t feel so much like one……my deepest sympathies to the Mongillo family…..Nick Pastore Jr.
I cannot fathom life without your smiles, laughter and warm heart. How I will miss you!!! There are very few memories of my childhood and early adulthood that do not include you. You were a gift in our family. RIP my dear dear friend. BTW when you see my Dad, give him a hug and a kiss from me. Enjoy the big casino in the sky. Deepest condolences to your family, especially your wonderful son and delightful wife.
Obituary
John Mongillo Jr.
MONGILLO, JOHN L., JR. John L. Mongillo Jr., 64, of Orchard Path, Westbrook, passed away Monday, October 17, 2011 at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown. He was the husband of Marlene Steinhauer (Geltman) Mongillo. He was born in New Haven on June 28, 1947; son of the late John A. and Alma Malavasi Mongillo. John was a gifted photographer having been taught by his father. He worked at the New Haven Register for many years and also the CT Post, the Hartford Courant, Channel 8 News, Channel 3 News, WVIT 30 and Fox 61. Father of John A. Mongillo of Hamden and Suzanne (Antonio) Volta Sr. of Lake Mary, FL. Stepfather of Michael (Kristen) Geltman and Amanda (Chris) Criscuolo. Grandfather of Antonio Volta Jr., Nicholas Volta and Hailey Geltman. Brother of Gail (Walter) Kucyzenski. Son-in-law of Leane “Lee” Steinhauer and the late Ephraim “Fred” Steinhauer. Brother-in-law of Jacqueline Rubino. His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Friday morning at 9:00. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church, North Haven, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. http://www.northhavenfuneral.com
I knew of John during my WELI days in the 80s. If it happened, he knew about it. Sometimes it seemed he knew about it BEFORE it happened. RIP, Junior.
This is Johnny Mong’s son..John Anthony Mongillo. Marlene, myself and my family would like to thank everybody who showed their respect towards my father by coming to the wake and funeral. We would also like to thank everyone for the numerous phone calls, letters, cards, flowers and arrangement baskets and all of the comments towards my father. The outpouring of love and respect was very touching. Your comments about my father will try to make each day a little less painful… We know that my father is at a better place right now. Even though my father is not with us right now, he will always be in our hearts.
Thank you.
With Love,
The Mongillo Family
make sure you keep in touch John…he included you all…in our lives…keep that cell phone charged!
louis xiv nicaragua##
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