Dennis Dale McGonigal

Dennis Dale McGonigal departed this world suddenly on February 7, 2025. Always quick with a smile and a story, Denny was truly one of a kind. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach, mentor, colleague, and friend, his presence enriched the lives of everyone he touched. He will be deeply missed by many every day.

Denny was born in Harlan, Iowa on October 24, 1943, and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Creighton Prep in 1962, Denny – who was a tremendous three-sport athlete – was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics a semester into his first year at Creighton University. His brief professional baseball career included being a major league umpire. Afterwards he spent time working with his father as a meat cutter and corporate deli manager. He found his true calling in sales, being hired as one of the first few sales representatives for Medline Industries, Inc., which at the time was a new, small medical supply company out of Evanston, Illinois.

Denny was married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Catherine Moore, for 42 years before she passed away in 2006. They and their children, Bryan and Melissa, moved from Omaha to the Chicago area so Denny could take on more responsibility with Medline. His invaluable contributions to virtually all aspects of the business earned him the well-earned title of Corporate Vice President. Denny was truly a legend with Medline and successfully guided thousands of individuals in the sales force over his 46-year career at the company. Some of Medline’s best customers also became Denny’s close friends, as his personal life and professional life became inextricably intertwined.

Denny always dreamed about living in Florida, so after 54 years in the Midwest, he and Mary escaped to Naples, Florida, first as snowbirds and after Mary’s passing, eventually became full-time. Florida is also where he met and fell in love with Sheila. They have been inseparable ever since and were married in a beautiful celebration in 2014. They shared a devotion to family, thoroughly enjoyed travel, golf, and always loved just being together.

Denny’s zest for life was unparalleled. Though not blessed with a great singing voice, he still had a song to sing for every occasion. His love of Elvis – music and dance moves – was renowned, as was the twinkle in his blue and green eyes. He was a storyteller like no other and had a way of injecting fun into conversations, dinners, and parties, while always treating everyone like his best friend. Denny was a devout Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and channeled his competitive spirit into his work and an array of sports – football, baseball, golf and tennis - as a player, coach, fan and mentor.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sheila Kay McGonigal, son Bryan McGonigal and his wife Malgorzata, daughter Melissa McGonigal Berry and her husband Steve, grandchildren Alexander James (AJ) McGonigal, Isabella Sloane Berry, and Rory Finnegan Berry, and Sheila’s children Rhonda Miller (Jimmy), Bridget Lester, Linda Lester, Nate Lester (Kathy), grandchildren Alexis Scaggs, Lauren Adkins, MaKayla Lester, George Walter, Nathan Lester, Ethan Miller, Ivan Lester, Robert Lester, Leanna Lester, Brianna Lester, and great-grandchildren Greysan and Harvey.

He was preceded in death by his parents John (Jack) McGonigal and Irene Lindstrom, and brother Michael McGonigal.

The family will host a visitation on Sunday, February 16, 4 – 6 pm, at Hodges Funeral Home of Naples Memorial Garden, 525 111th Avenue N, Naples FL 34108. A Memorial Mass will be held at 12 pm on Monday, February 17, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave N, Naples, FL 34108, with a celebration of his life immediately following at the Bay Colony Beach Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shelter for Abused Women & Children of Naples, FL (see links below).