J. Bradley McGonigle
1933-2016
New Castle News
J. Bradley McGonigle of Hermitage died with his family by his side on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 in St. Pauls Home, Greenville, where he was a resident for three weeks. He was 83.
Brad was born March 3, 1933 in New Castle, a son of J. Bradley McGonigle and Margaret (Hogue) McGonigle. He attended St. Marys Parochial Grade School and was a graduate of New Castle High School.
He 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. He was a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.
Brad and Mary Ellen were married on Sept. 21, 1957 in St. Rose Church, Girard, Ohio. He 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. He 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, five children, Karen Murphy and her husband Kevin, Warren, Ohio; Kathleen Conley and her husband Daniel, Naples, FL; J. Bradley McGonigle, III and his wife Sally, Hermitage; L. Patrick McGonigle and his wife Pamela, Conneaut Lake; and Timothy M. McGonigle and his wife Christina, Hermitage; 11 grandchildren, Caitlin Vetter and her husband Thomas; Patrick Murphy and his fiance Kalie Gargano; Daniel Conley and his wife Kristina; Sean Conley and his wife Lindsay; Ryan and Kaylee Conley; J. Bradley, IV and John McGonigle; and Lauren, Sarah and Caroline McGonigle; and two great-grandchildren, Jack Conley and Reese Conley, who was born September 14 of this year. He also leaves a brother, Martin P. McGonigle and his wife Kathy, New Castle; three sisters-in-law, Helen McGonigle, Conneaut Lake; Mary Lou McGonigle, New Castle; and Anita Conlin, 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.
Brad was the 294th classmate to walk down the aisle at graduation. After his name in the Yearbook, it reads: Homeroom representative 10-11, Hi-Y 10-11-12, Hall Patrol 10-11.
Mary Ellen and Bradley McGonigle at New Castle Day in Nokomis Florida in 2009.
