Bill Lango Has Passed Away, we have received some very devasting news. Bill Lango the promoter of the East Coast Toy Soldier Show died today June 29th. Bill was a great guy and someone I was proud to call friend. I am very upset to say more at this time.
Obituary of William Lango
William R. Lango went to heaven on June 29, 2018 at the age of 74, surrounded by his family.
He grew up in Queens, NY, Bloomingdale and Butler. Prior to moving to Riverdale he was a long-time resident of North Bergen. Preceded in death by parents Walter and Carmen and brother Robert. Beloved husband of Janice (nee Defina) for 53 years. Loving father of Karin (husband Lee Berman) and Kim (husband Stephen McBride). Cherished grandfather of Amber, Alexandra, Eladia, and Elaina.
Bill served his country proudly during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard Navy battleship USS Mullinnix. A member of Operating Engineers Local 68, after being employed by AT&T, Nabisco and Consolidated Laundry, he worked at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey at Journal Square for over 45 years. A hard worker, Bill was generous with his time and knowledge, briefly teaching engineering at Hudson County Vocational night school. He was an avid toy train and toy soldier enthusiast and published Toy Soldier Review magazine. An ambassador of the hobby, he promoted The East Coast Toy Soldier Show & Sale for 35 years. Multi-talented, he could fix anything and loved history, nature, stargazing, gardening, reading, film noir and Motown. His sense of humor will always be remembered by all who knew him. Above all, Bill led by example with great humility and generosity and his greatest source of pride was his family. Bill believed that a strong family was the true measure of a man.
Visitation will be held 4-8 pm Sunday at the M. John Scanlan Funeral Home in Pompton Plains. A funeral Mass will be held 10 am Monday at St. Mary’s RC Church, Pompton Lakes. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Butler.
In lieu of flowers, donations to his favorite charity, Pacific Garden Mission (www.pgm.org) would be greatly appreciated.
Years ago my dad bought a slush-cast toy car from Bill Lango, a re-production which Bill was producing from original molds. It was cool and like one dad had as a kid in the ’30’s.
OMG!!!!
It is SO sad .I just chat over with him in messenger barely a month ago over some heritage talking.
It is a shock to me today.
He was the nicest calm person to talk at show. I m e t him in 2000 first time. Always willing to accommodate every dealer at best possible way and very friendly at all time.
I’m very sad and surprise of this bad news s.
The hobby has lost a great sponsor ,collector and his family /friend a great MAN
He was a very close good friend of Paul too and it should be hard x Paul now …
May him rest in peace and prayers x him and family.
Bill was one of the giants of the hobby. I subscribed to his magazine the entire time it was published, and had the pleasure of meeting him & his wife at OTSN years ago. He seems to have led a very full life.
Another star in the toy soldier universe has gone dark. I met Bill at a couple shows. Can’t say I knew him very well, but he was a fun cheerful guy in the few conversations we had. Hopefully he now has plenty of time to play with his soldiers.
very sad I was a customer and friend of Bill Holt also,,we are losing many of us
Shocking news….a great guy who did so much for the hobby
Very sad news about Bill Lango. I only know him as a great promoter of the toy soldier hobby, and for his business acumen, but I will miss him if only for that. Thank you Paul for letting your readers know about this.
RIP !