Peter McGunigle

Peter McGunigle

April 29, 1947 – February 7, 2026

Peter McGunigle, a devoted husband, father, veteran, and friend, passed away surrounded by the love of his family. He lived a life defined by service, quiet dedication, and a deep pride in the people he loved.

Born in Boston, Peter moved to Maryland as a young boy and grew up in Catonsville, a place that remained central to his identity throughout his life. As a young man, he was an avid Boy Scout and proudly achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an accomplishment that reflected the values he carried with him always: responsibility, perseverance, and service to others. He attended Catonsville High School before entering the United States Army, serving his country during the Vietnam War.

After returning home, Peter continued building his life in Catonsville, enrolling at Catonsville Community College. It was there that he met Constance Bush, the woman who would become his wife. They married in 1971.

Peter went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Recreation Health from the University of Maryland, College Park. He began a long and meaningful career at Shepherd Pratt Psychiatric Hospital, where he found his personal values closely aligned with the hospital’s mission. He devoted 42 years to that work before retiring.

A hobby carpenter and enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer, Peter generously used his talents to support Constance as she built and ran her floral design business. He found joy in working with his hands, riding his bike, and traveling to visit his daughter.

Fatherhood would become one of the great joys of Peter’s life, his daughter Mariah was born in 1979, he was a loving, supportive, and proud father, unwaveringly present in all that mattered. One of his proudest moments was his father-daughter dance to ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” at her recent wedding to Gregory Soltis—a joyful memory that perfectly captured his pride and lighthearted spirit.

To his family, Peter was devoted, welcoming, and endlessly supportive. He was a proud veteran, a hard worker, and a story teller (when I as a boy), a man known for his humor (dad jokes), generosity, kindness, and ever-present smile.

Peter McGunigle will be remembered for the steady love he gave, the values he lived by, and the warmth he brought into every room.

There will be no formal funeral service. A private family memorial service will be held in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the National Alliance on Mentall Illiness (NAMI), in Peter’s memory.