J. Bradley McGonigle of Hermitage passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday afternoon (10-17-16) in St. Paul's Home, Greenville, where he was a resident for three weeks. He was 83.

Mr. McGonigle was born March 3, 1933, in New Castle, 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 September 21, 1957 in St. Rose Church, Girard, Ohio.

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 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; eleven grandchildren, Caitlin Vetter and her husband Thomas; Patrick Murphy and his fiancé 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, whom he adored 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.

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

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle; and from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2016, in the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Rd., Hermitage, PA.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.