Herbert Mingace

Herbert “Herb” Salvatore Mingace Jr., born June 29, 1942, passed away peacefully on March 15 at the Stuart Lodge assisted living home in Stuart, Florida, surrounded by family. Herb is predeceased by his father, Herbert S. Mingace Sr., and mother, Palma (Creonte) Mingace. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Mingace, and his children, Joseph M. Mingace and wife Marianne Mingace of Hopkinton, David J. Mingace and significant other Van Nguyen of Jensen Beach, Florida, Christopher H. Mingace and wife Dina M. Mingace of Hopkinton, and Gina Mingace Quinn and husband Michael J. Quinn of Newton. Herb had many grandchildren, Michael, William, Richard, James Daniel, David Alex, Nicholas, Lindsey, Olivia, Gabriella, Michael and Christopher. Herb also is survived by his sister, Roberta Tambascia of Dennis, and his two nephews, Daniel and Anthony Tambascia of Cape Cod.

Herbert graduated from Natick High School and Northeastern University and obtained his degree in chemical engineering. He was employed at Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge for over 35 years in the Holography Department. Herb was a pioneer in the development of the mass production of the white light holograms. He is credited as an inventor of holograms with the United States Trademark and Patent Office. His work has been presented and displayed at the Museum of Science in Boston, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum Cambridge, and the Smithsonian Institute Museum in Washington.

Herb came from a musical family and played the drums his whole life. He enjoyed playing at many functions and at the old country-western bar called the Good Times in Sandwich. This also provided an opportunity to make a record and ultimately “star” in a movie with Demi Moore and John Cusack called “One Crazy Summer.”

Herb enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, boating, gardening, poker and running the local pool league. His passion was to one day compete in the annual Las Vegas pool tournament. He garnered the love of many of his fellow billiard players who asked for him regularly. He made loyal friends wherever he found himself.

Herb valued his family above all else. Starting with his mother and father on down, he cherished the love and time being together with family and friends. No family occasion was complete without a well-cooked meal shared with all of his family, guests and friends. He enjoyed eating and took his time to enjoy his meals.

Herb learned from his father how to master most trades. While retired, he worked on his pool and built a solar heating system among many other “projects” around the house. There was never a job that could not be done without a trip to Home Depot and the right tool. He often was called upon to help his family with plumbing and everything construction-related to assist others.

Herb made friends easily everywhere he went, and we know as he enters Heaven, he will rekindle some old friendships and have a great meal with his family that will be waiting there to greet him.

A funeral Mass will be held for Herbert on Wednesday, April 5, at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish, 1523 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465.

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