James Gerard Monaghan

James Gerard Monaghan

Paradise Valley - James "Jim" Monaghan, 85, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on December 15, 2020, after a seven-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Jim was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1935. He started his career in Edmonton working in various industries. Over the years he launched and owned numerous companies including home improvement businesses and a car dealership, "Monaghan Pontiac Buick." In the 70's he joined one of Edmonton's leading home builders, where he discovered his true talent for land investment and development.

Jim was a risk taker. He had an acute sense of the right moment to buy and sell businesses and properties. In 1976 he saw opportunity in the United States. He and his wife, Wanda, made the decision to move their family to Paradise Valley, Arizona to pursue his new-found love of land deals. Jim had a vision for growth in speculative land values before others realized how much growth was coming. Within 15 years Jim's ventures in Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida included shopping centers, mobile home parks, office buildings, thousands of acres of land, Marineland in California and Circus World, an amusement park in Florida. Jim's family often joked that he had literally run away to join the circus.

When Jim bought Circus World it was an outdated, near obsolete theme park that featured trapeze acts, clowns, elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys and one wooden roller coaster. Jim traveled to Germany, bought several new rides and transformed the park into what he called "Thrill City." Soon after this transformation, Circus World became a very popular tourist attraction in Central Florida.

Jim also had a contract to bring the Philadelphia Eagles to Arizona, but Philly fans fought back, and the Eagles stayed put. Jim's endeavor with the NFL team may not have worked out as he planned, but it did pave the way for a future NFL team in Arizona.

Jim was larger than life. For him, it was not all work and no play. He was an avid hunter, water and snow skier, fisherman and boater. An an accomplished, instrument rated pilot, he proudly owned and flew airplanes, jets, helicopters, yachts and boats. Jim was an amazing and generous provider for his family. He always made sure his family had everything they needed and more. He traveled the world with his loving wife of 65 years, Wanda, who was his devoted caregiver since falling ill.

Jim was a devout Catholic and an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona (the Casa) for many years. A a lifelong lover of dogs, he especially enjoyed his Schnauzers, who never left his side. Every Christmas, it was not enough to just put lights on the house, Jim would light up the side of Mummy Mountain where he and his family lived, with a huge, brilliant shining star. There was no such thing as too much.

Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Brian (Betty), and is survived by brother, Gerald (Gaye), and sister, Maureen (Eric) Sly.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Wanda Rose and their five children, Michael (Margot), Joanie (Scott) O'Connor, Cheryl, Lisa, and Corlie, grandchildren; Sean, Ryley, Stacey, Tommy, Kaley, Courtney, Adam, Keely, Haley, Quinn, Bella, Tula and two great grandchildren, Owen, and Jack.

A celebration of life will occur when our public health situation permits.

In remembrance, contributions in Jim's honor may be made to Hospice of the Valley (https://www.hov.org/donate/donate-now/).