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Joseph Paul “Joe” McGuigan passed away at home unexpectedly on March 22, 2025. He was 79 years young. His wife, daughter and family are deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1946, his family relocated to Palm Beach County, FL in 1960. He graduated from Riviera Beach High School in 1964 and served in the U.S Army Reserves. In 1972, Joe graduated from the University of Florida with an Industrial Engineering Degree. He was a member of the University of Florida’s Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Joe’s engineering career began as an intern at Pratt Whitney. In 1972, he was hired by FPL where he advanced his engineering career. Joe’s experience in Distribution, Contract Administration, Manpower, Construction Budgets, Claims and Contract Administration, along with Commodity Analyst and Materials Management made him an invaluable engineer at FPL until he retired in 2003 after 31 years. Having such extensive experience, he was called out of retirement to join Bartech Group to assist with FPL projects through 2010. He then joined ECF Engineering Consultants in 2014 to coordinate with FPL for the Hardening Projects. Joe has finally retired for the last time.
His greatest joy, and what made him most proud, was his family. He loved spending time with the ones he cherished; taking trips, skiing, watching the Gators and attending as many events as he could for his grandsons.
Joe is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife of 30 years, Sherry; his daughter Ashley and son-in-law Joseph Simmens, and his two 3rd generation Gator grandsons, Joey and Andrew. He was predeceased by his father, Harry John “Scotty” McGuigan, Sr., his mother, Dorothy Hasslinger McGuigan, and his brother, Harry John McGuigan, Jr.
Joe will be forever missed, cherished and loved by all his family and friends.
A Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/obituaries/psar1139020
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Pamela “Carole” Dachtler (1964)
Glad we had our 60th reunion last year.
Pamela “Carole” Dachtler (1964)
Paul Goldstein (1966)
Joe was the best man at my wedding. He was also my fraternity brother at PBJC (Chi Sig). We worked together at Fountains Dept. Store in Lake Park during our Jounior college days. Spent many fun times with Joe and Harry both. Joe joined my wife and I and our children on a ski trip back in the 80's to where I now reside in Colorado. I also knew his first wife Nancy and spent many fun times together with them both. Later in life, I owned and operated a construction/land development company and low and behold Joe was assigned as my field rep. by FPL on two of my developments. We were able to meet now and then, discuss old times, family and friends. I think the last time i visited Joe was at a "Hornet Buzz" which had to have been 10-15 years ago. I have fond memories and extend my condolences to his Family.
Kerry Bogard (1962)
Looking back In Memory of Joe one of the first recollections was that we were lucky to know him for this many years. One time, right after school let out at RBHS, I was standing in front of Royal Castle on Broadway (US1) , or the Dairy Queen (can't remember) and I saw Phil Anderson coming out of Markham Florist with Brenda Haggerson (Joe's 'Steady' Girlfriend). Joe was driving by at that exact moment as well, in his 1958 Austin Healey Sprite ( a tiny British Sportscar) and saw them. 'Distracted'.... he ran his car directly UNDER a stopped School Bus, SAVED by 'ducking' at the last minute. The car was wedged up to the Bus's rear axle but, Joe made it out unscathed. The 2nd recollection was we both worked our way through Palm Beach Jr. College by selling clothes at Fountains Dept. Store in Lake Park. He was known as "GQ" always dressed 'Pin Neat' down to his Oxford Cloth Career Club Shirt, Haggard Slacks, polished shoes and matching Leather Belt -perfectly centered . We were paid $1.35 an hr. and Joe was 'all business', organized and mature. I remember laughing and shaking our heads when customers, that we called "slobs", would come in an mess-up our perfectly stacked shirts, jeans, etc. Trustworthy Joe was appointed 'Driver' of the Company Delivery Van that ran between the stores in Lake Worth & Lake Park. One time; we were coming back and I was screaming out the window at a girl at a bus stop , acting crazy, when a WPB Motorcycle cop spotted us and pulled Joe over. The "Adult In The Room", Joe talked his way out of the ticket and didnt speak to me for 2 days, LOL. Later, in 1968 when his Brother bailed on me at the last minute as Best Man, it was Joe that came to the rescue & 'Stood-Up' at my Wedding at Bethesda-By-The Sea Church. It was Joe that wrote "Just Married" in white shoe polish on my back window and tied the cans to my bumper. You could Always Count-On Joe.
He had great taste in women as well. Always discerning from "Brenda" to "Nancy" and finally for 30 years, "Sherry". He really was "A Stand-up Guy". His Service, at St. Christopher's Church in Hobe Sound, with the bag-pipes playing, was truly beautiful. In closing, it is best said: "Don't Cry for the Man you Lost but, Be Happy for the Guy You Were Lucky Enough to Have Known & Loved". Joseph McGuigan.