Pan Fenris Costa-Mangina was born on October 2, 1992, to his loving parents, Anne-Marie Costa and Tony Mangina, and was later joined by his devoted step-parents, Matthew Tanner and Adrian Mangina. He came into this world a footling breech baby, which set the tone for his challenging path in this life.
Pan was a wildly brilliant human who excelled academically. He was acerbically funny and liked to push the boundaries of propriety in his commentary on life or politics. He was an incredibly talented artist who worked in many mediums, including computer graphics for video games, digital illustration, colored pencils, watercolor and even needlepoint. From an early age, he was gifted with computers, building them and making music on them. If Pan picked up a guitar, a mandolin, an electric bass or a ukulele, he could play it. He was both self-taught and quiet about his musical prowess. He spent many hours a day connecting with people from around the world on creative projects.
Pan was a man of few words, but those who took the time to get to know him were the better for it. He was a slow burn who worked his way into the hearts and minds of his friends and his family. We treasure having had him among us,
He leaves behind his four loving parents; an older sister, Uma Belili Costa-Mangina (Kevin Garrity); younger brother Ozazl Costa-Mangina, and his girlfriend, Aliah Roberts; brother Furious Joseph Tanner; cousins, Nico Rhiannon Tanner-Garret, Miles Avery Tanner; his cousin, best friend, champion and constant companion, Justin Thaddeus Tanner; dear friend, Courtney Fuller; his grandmother, Pamela Y. Cotant; and his step-grandmother, Denise Costa.
Ozzy and Pan had a contentious relationship in their teen years, which evolved into one of the most profound connections possible between two brothers, saving each other’s lives both figuratively and literally. To listen to them banter at family parties was more hilarious and entertaining than anything on TV.
Pan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 10, and we know that every day after that was a gift. He also struggled with addiction, which robbed him of the ability to see how truly gifted he was and stole the opportunity for him to fully express his full potential on this planet, and eventually stole his life.
One thing is known: He is deeply loved and will be sorely missed by innumerable family and friends. You know who you are, and we appreciate the friendship and love you hold for Pan and for our whole family.
A service will be held at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St, Winooski, VT, on Wednesday, October 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a potluck reception at Burlington Cohousing immediately following the service. The address is 29 East Village Dr., Burlington, VT.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org/?form=Donate, or to Burlington’s Safe Harbor at chcb.org/donate.
This article appears in Oct 5-11, 2022.
I love you more than words can describe my dear brother/friend our companionship brought about a connection that could never be severed. I know you have left your corporeal shell but I feel as if you bound your self to my body when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes days after your death… I hold you in the highest respects and think of you on the daily holding your whole being close to my heart with the highest esteem. You held a courageous heart that drew in the souls around you and brought laughter to their hearts. In the past few days you have weighed heavily on my soul and the existence I stand on… Still to this day, the love I experienced from your heart pushes me through beyond to day into the next. I knowing the you are watching over me, protecting me and the rest of you family and loved ones!
Thank you for being one of the most compassionate caring people I ever had the pleasure of being a part of my life . I love you Panners Bannaners. You are in my mind and heart and somehow I know you will see this, hear this and feel this! From your sometimes annoying brother that loves you oz!