Mark Edwin Nugent

Mark Edwin Nugent, 76, of Transfer, PA, passed away surrounded by loving family on Thursday afternoon, June 11, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer.

Mr. Nugent was born October 28, 1949, in Sharon, PA, a son of James and Meriel Nugent.

A 1967 graduate of Sharon High School, Mark was drafted by U.S. Army in 1969, serving a tour in Vietnam as a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division–known widely as the legendary “Screaming Eagles.” Mark “walked point” on a number of missions, earning a Bronze Star for valor and two Air Medals for combat assaults by helicopter.

Following his military service, Mark began a career as a millwright at Sharon Steel, retiring after 50 years working at the same mill, now NLMK, Inc. A third-generation steelworker and proud union member, he served as a grievance officer and vice-president of the United Steelworkers Union in Farrell.

A favorite childhood adventure of Mark’s was joining his father in searching for snapping turtles in select creeks and riverbeds, the spoils of which were used for the annual Nugent family turtle soup dinner.

Despite being a lifelong Pirates fan, Mark was awarded a certified membership to the Cleveland Indians’ “Wahoo Club” at age 10 when he snagged a foul ball without dropping the hot dog in his other hand.

His hobbies included riding motorcycles and reading, from beginning to end, any and all daily newspapers he encountered.

Mark never met a pocketknife he didn’t like.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gloria L. (Scaggs) Nugent. Together they enjoyed winter trips to Bradenton, FL, to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates in spring training. Mrs. Nugent was privileged to have her car door opened for her until Mark could no longer do so.

Also remaining to cherish Mark’s memory are his three children, Ross and Kathy Nugent, of Pittsburgh, PA; Kerry and Tony Vadala, Mishawaka, IN; Kyle Nugent of Mercer, PA; two grandchildren, Hunter and Landon Vadala; a step-granddaughter, Ashley Vadala; a sister, Ida Mae Palko, Columbus, OH; and a brother, Keith Nugent, of Sharon.

In addition to his parents, Mark was preceded in death by a grandson, Bennie Gatling Vadala.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be directed to Vietnam Veterans of America, online at: VVA.org.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (6-15-26) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, in the funeral home.

A procession will follow to Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage, where military honors will be rendered by the Wheatland AL and West Middlesex VFW Honor Guard.