Mike McGonigle Memorial Garden and Grotto

Mike McGonigle was well-known in his community as a man who lived to serve. He started his policing career as an officer in Wildwood, NJ. He spent 32-years as a Lehigh Township police officer, where he held the rank of Sargent, and served 15 of those years as the D.A.R.E. officer at the Lehigh Elementary school. He ended his career with the Borough of Northampton, where he served until going out on medical leave to fight his long battle with cancer. It brought great sadness to many people when the news traveled that Mike lost his battle on Monday, September 27, 2021. Mike also sat as an elected official on the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors until his passing. He continued to participate in township meetings from the hospital, because he truly lived to serve the community and wanted to do his part as long as he could. Mike touched the lives of so many people throughout his career, and everyone has a kind word to say, or a fond memory to share, or a story to tell that puts a smile on anyone's face who is listening.

Mike was also very involved and committed to his church: St. Nicholas Catholic church in Lehigh Township. It is with great honor to announce that we were presented a space on their lawn to create a public garden/grotto/park area as a memorial. Not just for Mike, but for all fallen First Responders and military who are, and have served, our country. This will serve as a place for First Responders to take a break, for people to sit and read a book or reflect on life, a place for people to visit and pay homage to the fallen, or a place to simply go and "watch the trees grow," as Mike used to say.

It is our goal to create a beautiful patio area that includes a bench, a flag pole, and a St. Michael's statue to represent Law Enforcement. We are asking the community to come together and help raise the money in honor of Mike to make this memorial garden come to life. If we surpass our goal, it will go to making the park even more beautiful. So please consider donating to this tribute, especially if you knew Mike, or he has ever done anything to help you or touch your life in any way. It is a final way to say "thank you, Officer McGonigle, for all you did for your community."

Thank you to everyone who reached out to our family, showing us support in this sad time.

https://www.hardingfuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/Michael-McGonigle