William Monks Jr.

Monks, William Jr. BROADALBIN, N.Y. William Ward Monks Jr., 75, of Stevers Mills Road, Broadalbin, died at home on Tuesday evening, December 4, 2007 surrounded by his family. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass. on June 16, 1932, a son of William W. and Wilhelmina M. Kirchner Monks and was a 1950 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Bill was a 1955 graduate of Northeastern University where he received a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the Naval Reserves during the Korean Conflict. At one time, he was employed at International Paper, Inc. in Niagara Falls. He moved to Latham and worked at Mohawk Paper Mill in Cohoes from 1963 until retiring in 1994 as vice president of manufacturing. Mr. Monks moved to Broadalbin in 1984. In 1999, he became the proprietor of Meadowlark Farm, where he was able to nurture 2700 blueberry bushes and supply the area with luscious berries. Bill was an avid and talented woodworker. He enjoyed fishing and was a passionate Boston Red Sox fan. Mostly, he loved spending time with his family and enjoyed working with the blueberries with his golden retriever, Molly at his side. Mr. Monks was a member of the NYS Berry Growers Association at Cornell University and was a member of the Northeastern University Alumni Association. Survivors include three sons, William (Karen) Ward Monks III of Constable, N.Y., Laurance C. (Katie) Monks of Broadalbin, and Michael H. Monks of Mayfield; two daughters, Michelle A. (Kevin) Myers and Charla M. (Jeffrey) Simonson, all of Broadalbin; his special goddaughter, Katrina (Josh) Kerr of Broadalbin; a brother, David (Rachel) Monks of North Bennington, Vt.; a sister, Annette (Rene) Moser of Panama City, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Tara, William and Kathleen Monks; Sarah, Matthew and Nicholas Myers; Connor, Cameron, Zachary, and Hunter Monks; and Casey and Zoe Simonson; seven nephews; and several cousins. Cremation will be performed at Parkview Crematorium, Schenectady. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., 38 West Main Street, Broadalbin with Rev. R.W. Williams officiating. Calling hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, in care of the funeral home.