Clara McGonigal New Society V-P

At its meeting on January 20, the Athletics Society Executive Board announced the election of Clara McGonigal as the Society’s vice-president, to serve a term ending in December 2006, succeeding Bob Warrington, the Society’s sole vice-president to date. Bob regretted having to step down because of the press of his employment, but he has agreed to serve on the Society’s Advisory Board.

Clara McGonigal, a Philadelphia native who lives in Glenside with her husband Paul, graduated as a chemistry major from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also did post-graduate work. She and Paul, also a chemist, lived in Charleston, SC, for four years before returning to the Philadelphia area. Clara taught nursery school for several years before she turned again to her chosen field, as an information chemist for Bio-Rad, Sadtler Research Laboratories, in Philadelphia.

Clara, with Paul parents of three children and doting grandparents of five, helps out with Canine Companions for Independence, tends her Glenside garden, and gives much attention to her twelve-year-old black Lab Dolly. She began her love affair with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1947 and counts Eddie Joost as her favorite player. She has been a member of the Athletics Historical Society since its inception, chaired the committee running the 2002 breakfast reunion, and has been interim vice-president since the beginning of the year. Clara has long been a familiar face behind the tables at A’s Society affairs, helping with sales of books, photos, and A’s paraphernalia. The Society is fortunate to have Clara’s counsel and energy in this important position.