Andrew McGonagle

Andrew McGonagle, age 89, passed away with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Andrew was affectionately known as “Andy”, “Chef Andy”, and the “Fred Astaire of Andrew Square”. Andy loved his roots and would often tell stories to his grandchildren of his days growing up in “Southie”.

Andy was raised and educated in South Boston and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1953. It was there where Andy excelled on the football field earning the nickname “the Toe” for his ability to “split the uprights” kicking field goals and extra points when they counted.

Following high school, Andy proudly served his country in the Air National Guard of Massachusetts and the United States Air Force Reserve from 1953 until his Honorable Discharge in 1962.

Andy married his beloved wife of 65 years, Ellie, in 1959. They started a family together in Dorchester then moved to Plymouth in 1972 where Andy and Ellie lived for many years raising their family.

Andy worked for the New England Telephone Company, known as “Ma Bell”, for over 30 years until his retirement in 1992. He was well liked and respected by all his coworkers.

Andrew volunteered countless hours with the LaSalette Shrine communities in Enfield, NH and Attleboro, MA, forming life-long friendships. He often spent time, together with Ellie and his family, working in the cafeteria, putting on St Patrick’s day dinners or manning holiday displays.

On many Saturday mornings he could be spotted flipping pancakes at the Stonehill Retreat House where he and his wife Ellie lived their Cursillo weekend.

Post retirement from “Ma Bell”, Andy donned his chef’s hat while serving up lunch at St. Margaret’s School of Buzzards Bay.  It was there, he was known affectionately as “Chef Andy”.  

A real “do-it-your-selfer”, handy Andy wasn’t afraid to tackle any home improvement project, including building his family’s South Plymouth home.

Andy loved to travel to Ireland and revisit extended family in Galway and Malin Town, Donegal, where his parents, James and Susan, were born and raised.  Andy was an avid painter who often painted watercolors of scenes he saw in Ireland.

Andy was blessed with wonderful family and friends who will always  remember him for his kindness, humbleness, Irish wit and anecdotes, pride and deep love for his family, and devotion to his wife, Ellie.

Andy was predeceased by his beloved wife Eleanor (Murphy) McGonagle. His family members include his loving children Andrew Neil McGonagle and his wife, Susan, Kevin McGonagle, John McGonagle and his fiancée Susan Stewart, Paul McGonagle and his wife AnnMarie, James McGonagle and his wife Patrice, Karen Hoffmeister (McGonagle) and her husband Brett, and Debbie Drew (McGonagle) and her husband George, his grandchildren Jaryd, Lauryn, Jordan, Mairead, Conor, Brogan, Meghan, Molly, Ryan, Emma, Ashlinn, Matthew, Declan, Patrick, John, and Erin, and his great-grandchildren Delaney, Lucy, Cole, Ella, Logan, Brynn and Colton. Andy was predeceased by his son Richard McGonagle.

Andy was also the loving son of the late James and Susan (McLaughin) McGonagle, and brother of Helen Clifford (McGonagle) and her late husband Jack, Elizabeth Cail (McGonagle) and her late husband Arthur and his brother James McGonagle.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Andrew’s Funeral Mass on Monday, April 15, 2024, which will begin promptly at 11:00am in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 115 Wheeler Rd, Dracut, MA 01826.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andrew’s name to the Amedisys/Beacon Hospice, 290 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA 01843 for the loving care provided by Marcey and the team.  

Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Andy’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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