Victor John Mignano

Victor John Mignano, 98, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away October 15, 2022, at MorningStar Senior Living Center in Idaho Falls. He was under the care of Enhabit Home Health, MorningStar Staff, and his loving family.

Born in Chicago, April 10, 1924, to Italian immigrant parents, Saverio and Francesca Brusca Mignano, Victor grew up during Prohibition and the Great Depression. Victor was a bright student and quickly advanced through his high school curriculum and graduated from Waller High School early and attended Wright College.

Like most young men his age, he answered the call of his country and entered the Army Air Corp in 1942. He was sent to the Pacific and served in the 10th Air Force in the China Burma India Theater (CBI). He was a Meteorologist and as a Sergeant helped our forces navigate the treacherous weather conditions for pilots flying cargo over the Himalayan Mountains to bring vital supplies to American and Chinese forces in China.

After WWII ended, Victor returned home and married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley May Folsom. Shirley went to school with Victor’s younger brother, Francis, and they met on a ballfield after school one day. Shirley knew from the moment they met that they were destined for each other. They married on April 27, 1946, and began their life together in Chicago.

Victor started his career in steel sales with the help of his older brother, Dominic. He worked as his Deskman, learning the trade and quickly moved to sales.  His bright and easygoing personality made him a natural and he was soon a very successful salesman.

Victor and Shirley moved their young family to Rockford, Illinois, and they enjoyed many years there, raising their children. During one of their many family vacations out West, they fell in love with the Grand Tetons in Western Wyoming, and bought a small ranch in Auburn, a small community in Star Valley. In the mid 1970’s, Victor realized a lifelong dream and moved the family to their ranch there.

While still continuing his successful career in sales, Victor and Shirley decided to open up several retail clothing stores in Western Wyoming called, “The Wyoming Kid’s Place and the Clothes Tree.”  They operated the stores for a number of years.

In the late 1990’s, Victor and Shirley bought a home in Las Vegas to escape the Wyoming winters. They still returned to Star Valley during the summers.

They loved spending time with their children and grandchildren. They had a boat in the marina at Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park. They loved to go out fishing on Jackson Lake and entertain their family and numerous friends.

Victor loved people. His infectious personality and love of life endeared him to all he met. He loved music and to sing and he and Shirley were a sight to behold on the dance floor. Victor was a devout member of the Catholic Church. He and a group of fellow parishioners in the small community raised money to help build Star Valley’s Holy Family church where Victor often sang solos. Even in his last few weeks of life, he was asked to sing a solo for MoringStar’s music group.

Victor is survived by his loving wife of 76 years, Shirley; daughters, Linda (Robert) Weeks of Cataula, GA and Cathy (Randy) Call of Craig, CO; sons, Michael (Laurie) Mignano of Idaho Falls, ID, Patrick (Deborah Brockus) Mignano of Lakewood, CA and Anthony (Treasa) Mignano of Ammon, ID; nephew, Rick (Linda) Mignano of Barrington, IL; 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Saverio and Francesca Mignano; brothers, Dominic Mignano, Joe Mignano, and Francis Mignano; son, Christopher Don Mignano; and granddaughter, Meggan Weeks.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 78 Friesian Circle, Thayne, WY. Military Honors will follow at the Afton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Hospitals or Primary Children’s Hospital .