John "Jiggs" E. McHale

John E. “Jiggs” McHale, 91¾ (he was very proud of the ¾), of Bowie, MD, entered heaven surrounded by family and friends on May 6, 2026. He was born on May 30, 1934, in Scranton, PA, to Thomas (“Ike”) and Elizabeth (Loftus) McHale, and grew up there. Jiggs always had a joke to share, a warm wish to offer, and a helping hand for anyone — even those he did not know. He was known for always doing the right thing.

He never lost touch with his North Scranton crew, a large circle of lifelong friends, each known by a given nickname, including “The Count of No Account” for a friend who was always broke. Jiggs attended Holy Rosary School for 12 years, where he developed the unwavering Catholic faith that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from Mansfield Teachers College in Mansfield, PA, and later earned his master’s degree in education from George Washington University.

Jiggs devoted 36 years to the Prince George’s County Public School system, beginning as a teacher and eventually serving as a vice principal. Before retiring in 1995, he worked alongside a remarkable team of educators at Kettering Middle School and maintained close friendships with many of them until his passing.

Jiggs had a lifelong love for Holy Rosary and Mansfield University and remained actively involved with both communities. Until recently, he served on the planning committee for his Holy Rosary graduating class reunions, which gathered annually at Stirna’s, one of his favorite places. In 2024, he and his college friend Bob Leslie served as grand marshals of the Mansfield Parade as the university’s oldest alumni.

Jiggs met the love of his life, Patricia (Minjkives), and they married in 1963. Together, Jiggs and Pat shared 62 years of marriage and instilled faith and love in their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends, and neighbors.

Jiggs was a dedicated gardener, whose passion for cultivating tomatoes was matched only by his joy in sharing them. Known for hand-delivering his homegrown produce to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues who eagerly anticipated his annual harvest. His triple-decker tomato sandwiches were known far and wide and will be talked about for decades to come.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Thomas and Joseph; and his sister, Sister Martin de Porres, IHM, his brothers-in-law, Michael Minjkives and Jerry Stead, and his sisters-in-law, Martha McHale and Gloria Minjkives. He is survived by his sister-in-law Charlotte Stead.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; his children, MaryBeth (Glen) Faulkner, Marcy (Buddy) Gaines, John, Thomas P., Megan (Elise), and Maria (Jim) Hennigan; and the grandchildren he adored: Michael Faulkner, Austin, Corey, and Jake Gaines, Bryce McHale, and Megan and Allison Hennigan.

After his brother Joe’s death, at the age of 39, Jiggs loved Joe’s children as his own: Mary Ann (Peter) Starkey, Maureen (Rich) Minnick, Michael (Beth), Matthew, Mark, Martha Jo, and Joe (Lori). He was also cherished by all of his nieces and nephews, including Susan Bergt, Mary Ann Kinworthy, Ben Minjkives, and Jerrianna (Garth) Johnson. Jiggs is survived by many great nieces and nephews that he was always cheering on in life.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Sunday, May 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 Crain Highway, Bowie, MD 20715. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 18, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 16501 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jiggs’s honor to the John “Jiggs” McHale Scholarship at Mansfield University through the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation:

Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation 204 South Hall 71 South Academy St. Mansfield, PA 16933

Please note in the memo line: John “Jiggs” McHale Scholarship

Or donate online at: Mountaineer Foundation Donation Page