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J. Bradley McGonigle

1933-2016

HERMITAGE, Pa. — J. Bradley McGonigle, 83, of Hermitage, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2016, at St. Paul’s Home, Greenville, where he was a resident for three weeks.

Mr. McGonigle was born March 3, 1933, in New Castle, Pa., a son of J. Bradley McGonigle and Margaret Hogue McGonigle. He was raised in New Castle, where he attended St. Mary’s Parochial Grade School and was a graduate of New Castle High School.

Brad served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on April 4, 1955. He attended Youngstown State University, where he met his wife, the former Mary Ellen Conlin, and was a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He and Mary Ellen were married on Sept. 21, 1957, in St. Rose Church, Girard.

Brad was a third generation funeral director and began his career in New Castle, where his grandfather, John McGonigle, established the McGonigle Funeral Home in 1897. He and Mary Ellen moved to Sharon with their young family in 1964, and started the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and McGonigle Ambulance Service. He faithfully served the community as a funeral director for more than 40 years and expanded McGonigle Ambulance Service to become one of the leading EMS providers in the Shenango Valley. A devout Catholic, Brad was a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and a former longtime member of St. Joseph Church in Sharon. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Council #684, and was a 4th degree member of its Sharon Assembly. Brad’s priorities in life were his faith, family and business. Although he was a simple and humble gentleman, he was extremely loyal and dedicated in all of his endeavors. He was most happy when his entire family was together. Brad enjoyed traveling, particularly to Ireland, and driving around the country in his motor home. He and his wife loved going to Florida during the winter months and Conneaut Lake in the summer. He was a diehard Pirates fan and enjoyed watching the Steelers and going to South Bend to root on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen; five children, Karen (Kevin) Murphy of Warren, Kathleen (Daniel) Conley of Naples, Fla., J. Bradley (Sally) McGonigle III of Hermitage, L. Patrick (Pamela) McGonigle of Conneaut Lake and Timothy M. (Christina) McGonigle of Hermitage; 11 grandchildren, Caitlin (Thomas) Vetter, Patrick Murphy (fiancee, Kalie Gargano), Daniel (Kristina) Conley, Sean (Lindsay) Conley, Ryan and Kaylee Conley, J. Bradley IV and John McGonigle, and Lauren, Sarah and Caroline McGonigle; and two great-grandchildren, Jack Conley, whom he adored, and Reese Conley, who was born Sept. 14 of this year. He also leaves a brother, Martin P. (Kathy) McGonigle of New Castle; three sisters-in-law, Helen McGonigle of Conneaut Lake, Mary Lou McGonigle of New Castle and Anita Conlin of Hermitage; and several nieces and nephews.

Brad was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Richard, David, Harold, James and Shawn McGonigle; and a brother-in-law, James Conlin.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle, Pa. and 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, Pa. A funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, Pa. Entombment will be in St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum in Hermitage.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

(special notice)