Born in Boston, MA, eldest son of the late Albert and R. Lorraine (Broussard) McGonagle. Brian was raised in Malden, MA and spent his childhood summers and much of his adult life in Marlborough, MA. He received his education from Malden Catholic High School, North Shore Community College and Boston State College.
Serving his country, community and family were the focus of Brian’s life. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a crew chief on presidential flight squadron HMX-1, the helicopter for President Jimmy Carter. Then he served as a police officer in Merrimack, NH. Following that he spent 25 years on the Malden Fire Department, retiring as a Lieutenant. After his retirement he moved to Sandwich, MA to care for his elderly mother, even as her declining health required considerable care.
Brian’s devotion to his family included celebrating their birthdays by sending multiple funny birthday cards, often including one from his cat, Sammy. Brian cared deeply about family and always kept track of what they were doing and delighted in the successes of his nieces and nephew as well as his great niece and nephew.
Brian was always well-known in his social circles for his jovial personality. He greeted everyone with humor and was always thoughtful, remembering details about everyone’s lives. He had a positive outlook and accepted life as it was despite his health challenges. He will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Brian is survived by his brother Kevin McGonagle and Elizabeth of Sandwich, sister Kathleen Gilmore and Robert of Watertown, nieces and nephew Shannon Griffin and Nicholas of Sandown, NH, Sean McGonagle and Jillian of Weare, NH and Kristen Gilmore of Boston, MA, and great nephew and niece Owen and Nora Griffin of Sandown, NH.
A visitation 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 40 MacArthur Blvd., followed by a burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery at 1:45 p.m.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nickersonbourne.com for the McGonagle family.
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