James and Sharon Lonergan's Obituary
James Edward Lonergan (“Red” to his childhood friends and “The Bear” to his work colleagues) was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 3, 1938, to John and Ida (Malone) Lonergan. He was the second of 6 siblings including the late John Lonergan; the late Joseph Lonergan, Mary Lonergan Gossett, Patricia Lonergan Piterski, and the late Robert Lonergan.
Jim grew up an athlete. He lettered in football, wrestling, and track and field at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, PA, earning him recognition in Carrick High School Sports Hall of Fame. He graduated from Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. After graduating, Jim taught math classes and became assistant coach of the football and wrestling teams at a high school near Cleveland, OH.
Sharon Elaine Reese Lonergan was born in Ashtabula, OH, on May 19, 1940, to Ellis and Helen (Hayes) Reese. She was the first of 3 siblings, including the late Roger Reese of Jefferson, OH, and Charlene “Connie” Reese Hess, of Thornville, OH.
Sharon grew up on a farm and loved helping her dad with the animals and driving the tractor. As she grew, Sharon was active with Saybrook United Methodist Church. At Ashtabula High School, Sharon participated in the band, drama, choir, yearbook staff, and graduated as Salutatorian for the class of 1958. Sharon attended Miami University of Ohio and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. After graduating, Sharon taught 2nd grade classes at an elementary school near Cleveland, OH.
With the luck of the Irish, Jim met Sharon on a blind date to a St. Patrick’s Day party.
Jim and Sharon married in 1963, shortly after Jim began his career with the Central Intelligence Agency, and moved to the Washington, DC area. In 1964 they welcomed their first daughter, Shawna Lonergan Gates. Jim and Sharon briefly relocated to Ithaca, NY, where Jim earned a Master's degree from Cornell University. After returning to the DC area, Jim and Sharon welcomed their other two daughters – Laurel “Lauri” Lonergan Sands ’67, and Erin Lonergan Ferrone ’69, and settled in Springfield, VA.
Sharon was active as a Girl Scout Leader, Cheerleading Coach, PTA Officer, and sang in the Messiah Methodist Church Choir. When her daughters were older, Sharon began a career as a trainer for the Central Intelligence Agency. Jim also stayed active as coach of the church softball team, a PTA Officer, and a Diving Team Judge for the local swimming pool. Jim shared his love of football with Sharon and they became season ticket holders for the Washington Redskins. They always looked forward to holidays with extended family and the annual summer vacation, where they would pile the kids and dog into the van and explore the North American Continent.
Jim retired after 40+ years in the Intelligence Industry. Sharon decided that she had fulfilled her goal of sending her daughters to college and retired, as well. Retirement was good to them as they divided their time between Springfield, VA (winter), their cabin on Lake Erie in Ashtabula, OH (summer), and extensive travels around the world. In 2008, they moved to the Shenandoah Active Adult Community at Lake Frederick, VA, where Jim became Corn Hole Champion and ran the annual football pool. Sharon enjoyed Bunco, cooking club, line dancing, and starred in several Blue Swede Boomers productions. Jim and Sharon were both generous and adventurous spirits that deeply loved their family and friends.
Jim died of natural causes on March 18, 2022. Sharon died on December 31, 2022, after losing her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. They had been together for 59 years.
A Memorial Wake for both Jim and Sharon will be held on August 26, 2023, in Ashtabula, OH. Their legacy includes their children, Shawna and Barry Gates of Madison, VA; Laurel and Tim Sands of Dillingham, AK; Erin and John Ferrone of Arlington, VA; their grandchildren Sadie Sands, recent graduate from UVA now residing in Washington, DC; Sawyer Sands, 3rd year at MIT, in Cambridge, MA; Nina Spencer (from the Gates family) of Binghampton, NY; and great granddaughters Sophia, Izsabella, and Eliana Spencer. Jim and Sharon join their other great granddaughter, Jemma Spencer, already in heaven.
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