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John J. Monaghan Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Wilmington

2506 Concord Pike

Wilmington, Delaware

John Monaghan Obituary

John J. Monaghan, Jr.

AGE: 68 •

John J. Monaghan, Jr., age 68, passed peacefully on February 19, 2017.

John was predeceased by his parents, Helen & John J. Monaghan, Sr. and his beloved Sister, Helen Walther. Survivors include sisters, Kathleen and Ann (Wayne Czarnota) Monaghan, Rosemary McGrath (Frank) and Miss Emily Ann Moore who called him Daddy.

John was a graduate of Salesianum and St. Edward's University, Austin, TX and served his country with the Army/101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.

John was a gifted photographer, wordsmith and artist and had a passion for the English language and teaching same.

A private committal service will be held at the Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Chandler Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News Journal on Feb. 27, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Monaghan

Sponsored by Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Wilmington.

28 Entries

Lynn Ward Robinson

February 14, 2024

Thinking of all the family and loved ones may you have peace and tranquility

Lynn Ward Robinson

February 13, 2023

Thinking of y´all. John was an awesome teacher. Because of him I´m an avid reader of all genres.

December 31, 2020

Happy Birthday John. While I continue to miss you muchly, you sure did not miss much on Earth this year. You can't imagine how many times I've just wanted to talk with you about so many subjects. Love You!

December 31, 2019

Happy Birthday Big Brother John. Another year
and I miss you more & more. Love you.

Annie Monaghan

December 31, 2018

I wish more than anything that you were still here with us so that I could personally wish you a very
HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY. Some of your artwork to me has been framed and placed in a special spot in my home and your many letters to me over the years are within reach so that I can peruse them any time I am missing you more than usual. I Love You John & I can only thank God that you were my Brother and have so many funny & happy memories of our many adventures together. Thank you too for being my cool Big Brother.

Emily Moore

February 18, 2018

I regret not being able to atone for not being there in his last moments. If I were able, I'd like to have recorded his stories, the funny ones, the sad ones and more. I remember him coming to see my performance at Arden guild hall last year, and am reminded of it today as I went to rehearsal. Hopefully he'll watch from above. I miss you "stand in daddy".

Love you this much,
Emily

Annie Monaghan

December 31, 2017

Happy 69th Birthday little big Brother. I Love You and miss you !

May 29, 2017

Missing you and thinking about you. Thank you for your service and Happy Memorial Day. With many fond memories of the good times we spent together-until we meet again. Love & Peace

April 14, 2017

You taught me how to tie my shoes and what a mosquito looks like before it flies. I miss you more than you can imagine. I Love You!

Sue Mikolay

March 28, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with Kitty, Ann and Rosemary. We were so lucky to grow up in our early years, next door to the Monaghan family. We were blessed to have John stop by in IL for a few days playing with the kids and fixing their skateboards. John is now not in pain and is in peace, our angle.

Helen, Kitty, Sue and John ( Summer 1954)

Sue Mikolay

March 28, 2017

Helen, Roberta Milner, Sue Milner and John (Easter 1955)

Sue Mikolay

March 28, 2017

Chris McLaughlin

March 8, 2017

I remember being a little boy and going to a fishing event, hosted by United Cerebral Palsy. John was my fishing buddy. Being in a wheelchair, myself, it was always a big deal for me to see an adult in a wheelchair. "Neat! He's just like me! Only, he's a grown up and he can take care of himself. He does not need his mommy and daddy to help him." We got set up and we started fishing. He was showing me how to cast and hold the fishing pole. I wasn't able to catch any fish after a while. John took the pole and said "Let me try." Some time goes by and he finally said, "No. No. You know what our problem is? We're not using the right bait." He goes into his tacklebox and pulls out a different type of bait. Some time goes by and no fish are showing up. John said "No. No. We need a lure. See this one? And that long tail? This will get their attention, then we'll get 'em!" Some time goes by, and still, no fish. John said "No. See, this one here, is no good. We got to use something shiny, that'll really get 'em comin' in then!" John then arrived at the conclusion, that we were in a bad spot and that if we relocated, we would surely catch some fish. We never did catch any fish that day. But, John and I had some nice laughs despite our failures. I'm 33 years old, now. I still love to go fishing, when the weather and seasons allow. No matter who I'm with, I always think of John and giggle to myself, thinking back on that day. Rest In Peace, John.

Paula D'Onofrio Garrison

March 4, 2017

The Monaghan family was an important part of our early years on Goodley Road in McDaniel Crest. As with my brother, Johnny "suffered" the fate of being the only boy growing up with two older and two younger sisters. As an adult, I became reacquainted with Johnny and found him to be extremely intelligent, insightful, and a born story-teller. He wore his badge of being a Viet Nam veteran with pride, in spite of the challenges he faced because of that very service. Rest in peace, Johnny. You left this world much too soon.

Linda D'Onofrio Wolf

March 4, 2017

My deepest sympathy to John's family. I grew up with the Monaghan children on Goodley Rd. My best memories of childhood were made spending happy times in the Monaghan home. We all will remember Johnny as a happy, friendly guy. He always stopped to say hello when we were visiting Goodley Rd. Rest in Peace, John!

Billy Donovan

March 2, 2017

Freedom from physical pain is a good thing.
Freedom from the horror of Vietnam is a good thing.
Being reunited in heaven with family is a good thing.
Being a good son, brother, father, teacher, and friend is a wonderful thing.
You will be missed. It's your time to soar with the eagles in perfect harmony with the universe.
Rest in peace my brother.

Gene Dougherty

March 2, 2017

So sorry to hear of John's passing. I have two fond memories of John. One was of his bicycling up from Wilmington to visit me at St. Joseph's College in Philly. The second was when he told me, after many years of silence, about experiences in Vietnam. I always loved John's compassion, sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Carol Ward

March 1, 2017

Easily, Mr. Monaghan tops the memory charts of "Life at St. Mary Magdalen." He called me "Ward," same as he called my 6 other siblings. I vividly remember this: Mr. Monaghan was walking around the room (7B), twirling his moustache in one hand, red pen in the other, marking our writing. I noticed everyone else had written more than I, so dutifully, I scribbled a line or two of fluff. When he stood over my desk, he promptly crossed out my lines of fluff with his red pen. Simple, direct, and perfect. I still tell this story, forty some years later, to my English students. And I have since then always held Mr. Monaghan in highest esteem and everlasting fondness for that "small" gift of confidence he instilled in me.
I met a new colleague several months ago, and as we got to know each other, she mentioned that she had this awesome teacher years ago named Mr. Monaghan, who inspired her to become an English teacher....my jaw dropped, and I told her my story. Biggest shout out ever to Mr. Monaghan!!

Karen Lynn Ward

March 1, 2017

Mr. Monahan was an awesome teacher. There is always one teacher that everyone will never forget because they've had such an impact on their lives. Well Mr. Monahan is THAT teacher. I've always hated school but I looked forward to his class. Because of him I have a love and respect for books. I am an avid reader of many genres and that's all because of Mr. Monaghan. All my sympathy to his family and may you all take comfort in knowing that your brother will never be forgotten.

Terry Grillo

March 1, 2017

He was an outstanding teacher of words. Many of the Saint Mary Magdalen students are thankful for his gift. We send our condolences to his loved ones. Theresa Mulligan Grillo SMM '74

Joan Kelley

February 27, 2017

John and his mother were very good neighbors to my small family and I cherished his mother. Thank you for your service to our great country John. My condolences to your family.

Joe Smith

February 27, 2017

I wish to express my sincere sympathy to John's family. Spike and I were close friends from our days at Sallies and St Ed's. I still fondly remember the two of us flying to Austin to start our St Ed's college experience in1966. The Stewardess asked us if we were English because of our Delaware accents. We knew then we were going to someplace foreign, Texas. (Now my daughter Maddie is a Sophomore at St Ed's.) We had so many good times together. I especially remember how warm and friendly Spike's Mother and family were to me always. I am sure he is having fun reunion with his Mom and Dad and sister Helen. I just feel sad that we did not keep in touch over the years.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Michael Walther

February 25, 2017

Sorry to see you go but glad that you got your wings.......

I liked riding in your MR-2 back in the day! That was a mean car!

Hope to see you on the other side some day......

REST IN PEACE, Uncle John.

Much Love and Respect,

Mike

Christine Sappia

February 25, 2017

Mr. Monaghan was a phenomenal teacher. I was fortunate enough to have him teach me 7th and 8th grade English at St. Mary Magdalen. He was edgy for the time... 1981 introducing us to authors who really challenged our thinking. He enjoyed class discussion and was a master at asking questions that took the obvious to a level of intrigue and curiosity. I am now a teacher and have found myself often thinking back to his teaching style and being grateful for my time with him as a young student. He was one of the teachers responsible for inspiring me to follow the teaching profession. I am very sorry to hear of his passing but am blessed to have been one of his pupils.

Melissa & Carrie Thompson

February 24, 2017

My daughter and I are deeply saddened for our life long friend Ann Monaghan's lose of her only brother. We wish we would have had the pleasure of meeting him as another piece of the Monaghan Family.

Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.

Sharon Monaghan Porter

February 24, 2017

We met later in life, but made fond memories. Your visits to my mom's beach house to our conversations at the VA. You are at peace now "cuz".....❤

Dan Hermes

February 23, 2017

A few of the best days of my life were spent in your English classroom at St. Mary Magdalen. You were a rogue, a free spirit and a gadfly, and your passion for the English language, for literature, and for life helped guide and inspire me profoundly. For every book I write, every magazine article, every blog post, talk, workshop, class, and conference presentation I give, I have you, in no small part, to thank. Mr. Monaghan, you will be missed.

Ann Monaghan

February 23, 2017

Dear Big Brother, so very sad that Wayne & I will never get to chat with you again. The first saved voicemail on my phone is from you a year and a half ago thanking me for something silly and laughing about scaring away the dreamcatcher. We Love You, will miss you and pray you are happy and at Peace. Since you were such a great photographer and wordsmith, I have many of your treasures to treasure even more in your absence from earth. Every evening at sundown I flick on the black marble lamp you gave me moons ago - that process became much more special this past Monday night. Everyone remembers you as the kind of guy willing to lend a hand and we thank you for the many hands you lent us. Ride with the wind little Big Brother and hoping it is in the red Ferrari you always dreamed of. Love, Ann(ie)

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