Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

O'Brien Funeral Home - Wall

2028 Highway 35 at New Bedford Road

Wall, New Jersey

Patrick Conaghan Obituary

Patrick D. Conaghan

Bayonne/Spring Lake - Patrick David Conaghan, best known as "Judge" Conaghan, passed away peacefully at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J. on March 27 at the age of 80. Pat was born in Jersey City, NJ and lived all his life in Bayonne, N.J. He had great pride and love for his hometown, the people in it and the support and love they gave him. He was sworn in as Judge of the Municipal Court of Bayonne in June 1996 serving until 2002. He dispensed justice with wisdom and kindness and was considered to be fair and reasonable, but no one could fool him with a made-up excuse. He regularly told defendants that he had heard them all.

Pat also had a home in Spring Lake, NJ and in Mariner Sands, Stuart, FL where he spent more time after he became semi-retired from his law practice in Bayonne. He was a graduate of St. Mary Star of the Sea Grammar School in 1951, St. Peter's Prep in 1955, St. Peter's College in 1962 and Seton Hall University Law School in 1965. He worked during the day and went nights all through college and law school. While he was in law school, he served as judicial clerk for the Honorable David A. Nimmo, Superior Court Judge in Hudson County.

He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1965. At the beginning of his long legal career, he was a part of organizing the first Hudson County Public Defenders program as a Deputy Public Defender. He also served as an assistant counsel for the County and Prosecutor for the City of Bayonne.

Pat was a longtime member of the Bayonne Chapter of Unico National, a charitable organization. The Chapter recognized him at its Awards Reception held March 24th, presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pat was the President of the Bayonne Board of Education immediately before he became a Judge and recently served again as a member of the Board. In his professional life, he was counsel to the First Savings Bank of New Jersey and served on its Board of Directors, as well as on the Board of Pamrapo Savings Bank. He was also a member of the Spring Lake Golf Club, serving on its Board of Trustees and as President from 2001 to 2002.

He was also active in the Bayonne Democratic Club, the New Frontier Democratic Club, Bayonne Mental Health, Irelands '32, the Jack Foye Association, and the Donald Ahearn Association. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the Mount Carmel Guild and on the Board of the Directors of the YMCA, the Bayonne Police Athletic League, the United Way of Hudson County, the Bayonne Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Bayonne Kiwanis Club, serving as its President in 1980.

Pat had a long and varied career as a distinguished attorney, practicing law for over 50 years. He was a member of the Hudson County and New Jersey Bar Associations. One of his significant cases was a suit against the City of Bayonne's ordinance preventing women from sitting at a bar in a restaurant or tavern. He successfully had the ordinance declared unconstitutional. Pat personified selflessness and was the person everyone went to for help in times of need. He was a practical man, giving the best advice, and was generous to a fault. He would help anyone who asked and never ask for anything in return. He was a dedicated husband and father to his three children and a role model for his five grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Tonita Sando Conaghan; three children, Susan McCusker and her husband, William of Westfield, N.J., Robert and his wife, Elizabeth of Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. and Megan Conaghan of Frederick, Md.; and five grandchildren: Patrick, Megan and Brigid McCusker and Brian and Caitlin Conaghan. He also leaves his sisters: Alice Luchino, Sally Kinsella, Anne Cook, Kathleen O'Donnell and Denise Conaghan; brothers-in-law, Francis Cook and John Breivogel; sister-in-law, Lore Conaghan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Alice Conaghan (nee Gibbons); his brother, John J. Conaghan; and his sister, Brigid Breivogel.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 4 to 8 pm at O'Brien Funeral Home, 21028 Rte. 35, Wall, NJ 07719. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Avenue, Spring Lake, N. J. 07762. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Peter's Prep, Office of Institutional Advancement, 144 Grand Street, Jersey City, N.J. 07302.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asbury Park Press on Apr. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Conaghan

Sponsored by O'Brien Funeral Home - Wall.

Not sure what to say?





mary fitzgibbons

June 27, 2018

He always told it to you straight or not at all. He was a kind man who went out of his way for people, even when he didn't have to. He did the right thing. His sometimes gruff exterior belied a man with a heart. He will be missed.

Patrick Scanlon

May 2, 2018

Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Conaghan. He was a long-time friend to my Uncle Ned Gallagher and Aunt Nancy Gallagher of Bayonne, both now deceased.

Tom and nancy Kopacz

April 2, 2018

Tom and Nancy kopacz are sorry for the passing of Mr conaghan.

Gregg Wolff

April 2, 2018

Toni

So sorry to hear, from Seton Hall Law School to Spring Lake Golf Club, my Dad & Mom cherished the time they spent with both of you.

Patrick Cavanagh

April 1, 2018

RIP Patrick. In loving memory ! So many Roads !

kiki

April 1, 2018

You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one, may the God of peace give you comfort and peace in every way. May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Please accept my sincere condolences. IS 41:10

Betsy Parks

March 31, 2018

Heartfelt condolences.

Bill & Leslie

March 31, 2018

Rest Easy Sir

j kevin moran

March 31, 2018

Judy and I are both saddened to learn of Pat's passing. We both considered Pat to be a good friend. He will be sorely missed?
Judy and Kevin Moran

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

Make a Donation
in Patrick Conaghan's name

Memorial Events
for Patrick Conaghan

Apr

4

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

O'Brien Funeral Home - Wall

2028 Highway 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall, NJ 07719

Apr

5

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 a.m.

St. Catharine Church

215 Essex Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ

Funeral services provided by:

O'Brien Funeral Home - Wall

2028 Highway 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall, NJ 07719

How to support Patrick's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Patrick Conaghan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more