RICHARD DONALD MCGUNIGLE
Richard’s gone and we’re having to stay
With our sorrow and memories. Hey!
He would tell us to sing
Let our own stories ring
In new Timelines* made just for today.
At Temple Street door 23
Blanche and Mac grinned quite happily.
In Year ‘35
Downtown Boston did thrive
As the sun rose on Richard McG.
In Winthrop with sister Diane,
They bicycled, sledded and ran.
He earned a degree
From storied MIT
And thus Engineering began.
In New Jersey Patricia he wed,
California was where they were led.
With patents in hand,
Set out for new lands
Choosing Fullerton for the homestead.
A trio of children appeared
Sharon, Matt, Heather! He Cheered!
Dad built their abode
Despite building codes
Picaacho House sure was revered.
He gave us a wide repertoire
With piano, verse, and guitar,
At home and at work,
That irrepressible smirk!
Rich harmonies under the stars.
An assortment of consulting gigs
With Eula in Irvine, new digs.
While hiking Half-Dome
He felt right at home
When not doing work with big-wigs.
The master of all birthday bards,
His verses are held in regard.
A wordsmith and tinkerer,
Punster and thinkerer,
The grandkids were dealt some good cards.
Retirement came on quite slow,
Whidbey beaches for picnics to go.
Song circles galore,
And on stage “Pinafore,”
His robot team gave him a glow.
On the day of his mom’s birth, sadly
In the year ’21 he went free.
On the coast of the west,
He did come to his rest.
The sun set on our Grandpa McG.
He’s now back with his pals from the day,
MIT guys who’ve passed and now play.
Wreaking havoc somewhere,
With our Monkle out there.
Laughing still … Jingle all of the way.
*c.f. The Definitive McGunigle Timeline. 2014. Whidbey Island, WA. The Definitive Publishing Company.
Those wishing to remember him in a special way may donate to Whidbey Health Foundation’s Hospice in his name: