John Gerard MCTIGUE

1928 - 2018

Passed away peacefully on November 15, 2018 at the age of 90. John was born February 7, 1928 in the Bronx, New York, to John McTigue and Elizabeth Mary (Ludwig) McTigue. They moved to Cairo, New York when his father retired as a New York City Firefighter.
After John graduated from high school in 1946 he joined the Marines. He used the GI Bill to attend Clarkson College where he earned his degree in Civil Engineering. John met Nancy, his future wife of
sixty-six years, on his first day home from the Marines when he was looking for work. He saw her out walking and was determined to find out who she was. He and Nancy (Story) McTigue were married in 1952 and moved to California where John accepted a job with NACA in the High Speed Flight Research Sta- tion at Edwards Air Force Base.
John and Nancy had eight children: Susan McTigue (Terry Bavaro); Nancy McTigue (Jerry Joyce); John G McTigue Jr (Michelle Miok Choi); Patricia Mc- Tigue; Judy McTigue(James Baker); Thomas (Tom) McTigue; Amy McTigue (Michael Stoll); Kathryn (Kate) McTigue (Greg Floyd). John is survived by his wife, his children, 17 Grandchildren: EB (Elizabeth), Lucas, Alan, Karen, Sarah, Johnny, Timothy, Becky, Tommy, Jeffrey, Jared, Eleyna, Raymond, Mitchell, Corina, Conor, and Ryan, five Great Grandchildren: Robert, Pharaoh, Aten, Mason & Olivia, and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his beloved siblings Vivian Dyce and James McTigue.
In 1960 John earned a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Aeronautics option from the University of Southern California. During his ca- reer at NACA/NASA John worked on many programs, most notably he was Program Engineer and Flight Operations Manager on the X-15 Number 3. He was Project Manager for: the HI-MAT program, Supercritical Wing programs and five lifting body programs. He continued to advance his career with posi- tions of increasing responsibility including; Director of Engineering and Facil- ities at Dryden; Deputy Director of Operations, NASA Ames Dryden; Director, Extreme Envelope Aircraft, and Deputy Director of Shuttle Operations.
In the thirty years that John McTigue worked for NACA/NASA he took a lead role in advancing aerospace knowledge and capabilities of aircraft develop- ment. His coordination, communication, program and project management skills combined with technical knowledge and leadership allowed him and the teams he lead to complete projects on schedule but more importantly correctly. He was most proud of the feeling of family support and individual ownership he experienced while working at Edwards.
John retired from NASA Dryden in 1982. He then worked for Northrop on the B-2 program for twelve years managing the engineering test support and later the flight test programs at Edwards. In 2009 he was honored as an Eagle by the Flight Test Historical Foundation.
His career in aerospace was an inspiration to his children. He inspired them to excel in their careers and to think of what is possible. He opened up a world of awe and achievement to them, a strong interest in science, and a belief that they could achieve their dreams.
John loved the backcountry and led many Boy Scout adventures into the Sier- ras. His summer vacations were often spent at Fourth Lake, fishing and hik- ing with his children. John and Nancy made numerous trips across the coun- try with their eight children in the family station wagon to visit and reconnect with family in the Catskill Mountains. John was an avid woodworker and mechanic. He built furniture, rebuilt houses and restored cars and tractors.
John had a strong work ethic, which was at the core of his personality. The best way to spend time with him was to participate in one of his projects.
The Mass of Resurrection will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Tues- day, November 20, 2018, 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sacred Heart Church Building Fund or a favorite charity.