McGunnigle, Stephen

Stephen McGunnigle, Jr., the son of the original builder, owned an old "Jenny" airplane, and he flew it locally with another farm family friend, Anthony "Tony" Brand of Bloomingdale Road, near the McGunnigle Farm on South Broadway. These two farms were located on the Central Park border, but I believe the post office address was Hicksville.

Stephen McGunnigle, Jr.(called "Bill" to distinguish him from his father) had a part time job at Roosevelt Field as a mechanic. He was only in his late teens. He was a first cousin of Grumman's Test Pilot #5, Roy ("Pappy") Seligman.

"Bill" McGunnigle and other members of his family witnessed Charles ("Lucky") Lindbergh fly over their home on South Broadway in 1927 when Lindbergh took off for Orly, France.

Submitted by Rosale Walsh Niemczyk - 1/23/10