William F. Gross

Roger John McDonough

77, died Friday, March 2 at his home at Independence Court in Monroeville. An outgoing collector of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball memorabilia, McDonough was also known for his love of movies, hats and family vacations. He also had a quick wit. Born May 1, 1940 in Braddock to Raymond Paul and Olga Koerth McDonough, he was the youngest of two. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a liberal arts degree in 1973. While in school, he took his first job at the H.J. Heinz Company, starting out as a mail clerk. He spent 30 years at the company, retiring as their manager of government relations. Work life was interrupted in 1963 when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed near Fontainebleau, France and served as a private until 1965.   When he returned to Heinz, he finally asked out Mary Ann Gaj, a co-worker in the inventory department. Their first date (and first kiss) took place at Forbes Field, watching the Pittsburgh Pirates play the St. Louis Cardinals (they lost, 3-2). The couple married Aug. 12, 1967, and eventually moved to Penn Hills, which they called home for more than 40 years. In 1976, they adopted their son, Mark. McDonough quickly introduced him to his love of baseball. When Mark turned 15, they began attending Opening Day, a tradition they carried on for 23 years, first at Three Rivers and then at PNC Park. McDonough liked to collect lots of things, but most well known were his collections of baseball bobbleheads, bats, figurines and cards, which he displayed annually for years at the Penn Hills Library at the start of Spring Training. McDonough was a member of St. Gerard Majella Church in Verona, and served as an eucharistic minister for about 15 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond. He is survived by his wife; his son; his daughter-in-law, Staci; and his granddaughter, Elena.