Michael Brown McGonigal died peacefully in his home with the love of his family on April 6 after a fulfilling life flight of 90 years.
Michael was born on March 20, 1924, to George Patrick McGonigal and Mary Brown McGonigal of Bellevue, Idaho. He was the eldest of his three brothers, Thomas, George and John. He spent his early years on the family homestead, Spring of Gladness Ranch. He graduated from Bellevue High School in the spring of 1942. He entered the Army Air Corps the following fall and served his country as a decorated P-38 fighter pilot in the Pacific theater during World War II. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant before his honorable discharge.
Michael attended the University of Nebraska and Gonzaga University before graduating from Carroll College in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in English. He married the beautiful Ellen Marie Walsh on June 24, 1950, at the Cathedral of St. Helena. They raised five children in the home they built together.
Upon his graduation from Carroll, Michael began work at the Mountain States Telephone Co. as a draftsman. He was quickly promoted to engineer and retired in the spring of 1981 as a supervising engineer of the Right of Way Department.
Michael was a skilled carpenter and built several homes in the Helena area. He shared his passion for the great outdoors with his family through many memorable hunting, fishing and skiing adventures. He never lost his love for the open skies and could often be found flying his plane to Idaho so he could continue to work on the family ranch long after his retirement.
Michael was a devoted Catholic, an active parishioner at the Cathedral of St. Helena and a strong supporter of Catholic education. He was also a member of the Right of Way Association, the Telephone Pioneers, the Sleeping Giant Flying Club and the American Legion. Michael also gave back by volunteering as a service driver for the Disabled American Veterans Association.
Michael is survived by his brother John (Rosemary) of Jerome, Idaho; his children Michael W. (Mary) of Hailey, Idaho; Patrick of Fairmont; Tim (Nancy) of Great Falls; Mary (Bill Duede) of Townsend; and Ellen (Ron Osborne) of Helena. Michael is also survived by granddaughters Melissa McGonigal Cobb, Mary, Molly, Misha; grandsons Brien, Daniel, Kelly, Jacob, Sean, Evan, Joseph, William, Levi and Jason. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ellen, his brothers George and Thomas McGonigal, and granddaughters Tami, Nancy and Susan McGonigal.
The family received friends on Thursday, April 10, at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. Sixth Ave. A Mass is scheduled for noon on Friday, April 11, at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 North Ewing St., with a reception to follow in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Burial with military honors will take place following the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison.
Memorial in Michael’s name may be sent to VA Montana Health Care System Voluntary Services, 3687 Veteran’s Drive, Fort Harrison, MY, 59636, The Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 North Ewing St., or Carroll College, 1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, 59625. To offer condolences to Michael’s family or to share a memory, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
