Joseph "Joe" Michael Mcdonough, Jr.

Joseph "Joe" Michael McDonough, Jr., 88, of 644 Erie St., Saegertown, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville.

Joe was born in Meadville, on September 26, 1929, a son of the late Joseph Michael and Sara (Hunter) McDonough, Sr.

On February 3, 1951 Joe married Lois Jean Shorts; she survives.

He was a member of Twelve Apostles Lutheran Church, Saegertown.

A lifelong resident of Saegertown, Joe graduated from Saegertown High School in 1947. On July 28, 1948 Joe entered the US Navy and served his country honorably until his discharge on July 27, 1949. He was an active Navy Reservist for five years. In 1960, after a short period of employment with the former Abex, Joe and his two partners Joe Barretta and Richard Old, established Saegertown Pattern Company which they operated until 1990. During this time he also sold American LaFrance fire trucks and ambulances while he and Joe Barretta established and operated PA Fire Equipment. Additionally Joe was one of four founders of FAME Manufacturing along with Joe Barretta, Robert Mercier and George Bidwell.

Following his retirement, he worked part time for US Bronze building office spaces and doing carpentry work. Once his health began to decline, Joe reluctantly spent less time working. Over the years Joe helped to found the Crawford-Venango Counties Fire School and served as director of the school for many years, training as many as 6,000 firefighters per year. He also served as Saegertown Borough Emergency Management Coordinator where he directed many emergencies in the borough including floods, tornadoes, storms and chemical spills. He was instrumental in writing Saegertown's disaster plan.

A life member of the Meadville Elks Club BPO #219, he was also a member of Saegertown American Legion Post #205. Beginning as a volunteer at the age of 14, Joe just reached 70 active years of service to Saegertown Fire Department with 25 years as Chief from which he retired in 1983. In April, 1996 Joe was honored by the Meadville Elks Club as Citizen of the Year. He was recognized for his exemplary service to the Fire Department.

When he wasn't around the fire station, Joe enjoyed golfing, fishing in Canada, tending to his Cocker Spaniels and especially being with his family. He loved having family dinners and being the best papa to his great grandson Travis Mudger. Chief will be sadly missed.

In addition to his wife Lois of 67 years Joe is survived by a daughter Kathleen Koket and her husband Jeffrey of Saegertown, a granddaughter Jennifer Mudger and her husband Jason of Meadville, two great grandsons Logan Walker, Travis Mudger, a niece Lisa Foshay, two nephews Robert and John McDonough, several great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by two brothers John L. McDonough, Horace P. McDonough and a sister Anna Iomgene Frisina.

Family and friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 330 BROAD STREET, SAEGERTOWN, with a service by Meadville Elks Lodge BPO #219 at 6:30 PM and a service by Saegertown Volunteer Fire Department at 7:15 PM.

Funeral services will be held at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME, 330 BROAD ST., SAEGERTOWN at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 31, 2018, with Rev. Sam Marchetta, Chaplain of Wesbury UMC, officiating.

Joe will be laid to rest in Saegertown Cemetery Hayfield Twp.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saegertown Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 164 Saegertown, PA 16433 or Saegertown United Methodist Church PO Box 689, 620 Euclid Ave. Saegertown, PA 16433.

Share a memory or condolence at www.miznerfuneralhome.com