James Gerard Nagle, Boardman, Ohio
BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Heaven gained a true angel when James 'Jim' G. Nagle died on Friday, March 21, 2025.
James was born July 12, 1922, in Girard, to Dr. Joseph and Margaret (McCloskey) Nagle, a nurse.
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He attended Ursuline High School and then John Carroll University until he enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where he earned the rank of Pharmacist First Mate serving in medical supplies in the Philippines and New Guinea. While serving in the Pacific, he was stationed in the same port where the USS Mount Hood ammunition ship exploded, killing 432. Jim had snuck out to visit his best friend, Tom Manche, on a nearby island and was late returning to base, which saved his life. The explosion knocked him unconscious and while it contributed to his hearing loss, it also made him realize that he was spared for a reason, and that was to serve others. After he was discharged in 1946, Jim went back to college, attending Hiram College for a degree in education.
In 1948, he started teaching science at Bloomfield schools. He taught at Columbia Station from 1952 until 1966.
In 1965, he reconnected with Lenore McLaughlin Kerrigan, who he had dated in high school and had lost her young husband. When they married, he happily gave up his summers of camping in Canada to help raise her six children.
He moved to Youngstown and started teaching at Lowellville schools and helped coach girls and boys track and junior high basketball. To the question on the Lowellville job application as to why he was applying for the job, he said he had 'married a widow with six children and wanted them to stay in their original home.' He retired from Lowellville in 1982 after 16 years and a total of 34 years serving as an educator. Over the years, he has received cards and letters from students expressing gratitude for sparking a love of science in their lives. He loved that so many of the family followed his footsteps into education.
Jim credited his longevity of 102 years young to a youth filled with outdoor adventures, fresh air and exercise, especially long-distance swimming. As an adult, he enjoyed having a fishing pole in his hand, looking for the spot where they were hitting or with one of his father's persimmon golf clubs, chasing birdies. A modest and humble man, Jim focused his attention on finding gratitude and appreciation in the simplest things. He cherished every sunset and embraced every new day. Generous to a fault, he often gave total strangers his last nickel. He took a summer job at a steel mill but after he received the first paycheck, he wanted to quit because he knew there were others who needed the money more. He didn't, because he had committed to the summer, but graciously did not accept the job any subsequent summers. At a celebration of his 100th birthday, Lowellville Mayor Jim Ludiciani, a former student, presented Jim with a proclamation for his 'outstanding service and citizenship.'
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; his parents; brothers, Tom and Joe and their wives, Joyce and JoAnn and his newborn twin baby brothers, Gene and Jerry.
He is survived by his stepchildren, Pat (Betsy) Kerrigan, Nancy Kerrigan, Kitty (Rich) King, Maureen Kerrigan, Tom (Di) Kerrigan and Betty (Bob) Winland. Beloved Poppa's waffles will be missed by his 11 grandchildren, Brigid Kennedy, Meg Goddard and Kevin Kerrigan, Christopher, Patrick and Brendan King, KC and Michael Kerrigan and Teresa Zenitsky, Cory and Danny Winland; 19 great-grandchildren, Eric, Grace, Sara, Baree, Kate, Emma, Brady, Hannah, Will, Ellie, Annie, Wells, Augie, Rory, Nora, Eli, Mara, Cecilia and Callum and three great-greats, Gio, Emi and Ava. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Betty McLaughlin, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He loved you all.
The family would like to thank all our Pinetree neighbors, especially Al and Kelley Cervello, who have treated Jim and Nancy like family through this difficult time. Hospice of the Valley has shown kindness and compassion, in particular Brea and Lindsey and Suzanne Tucci. Many thanks to The Inn at Old Saybrook for their loving care. Betsy Johnquest and Jen Borawiec, thank you for all your assistance. We could not even begin to thank our sister, Nancy, enough for the years of love and devotion that she has dedicated to making the end of Jim's life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Calling hours will be Noon – 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, 3701 Starr Centre Drive, Canfield. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius Avenue, Youngstown.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider St. Dominic Catholic Parish, 77 E. Lucius Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44507 or Ursuline Sisters Mission, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, OH 44406.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Gerard Nagle, please visit our flower store.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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