Richard E. Monks

To the Monks Family:



I was deeply saddened to hear about Mr. Monks passing. He was a kind neighbor, and good friend to both my parents and me and my family, and such a vital community member at sekon lodge. His vitallity,humor, and winning smile, will be deeply missed, but I know these wonderfull traits will live on in all our memory, and in his loving children and grandchildren.

Mr. Monks was such a wonderful man. He always had a kind word and a smile whether we were asking for hints during the Steak Roast scavenger hunts or just back from skiing on our way up the hill. I'm sure he and Grandpa have a lot of cathcing up to do. My thoughts and prayers are with the Monks family.

Amanda Cavanagh

Dear John, Tommy and family,

My deepest sympathy for your loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Wendy Murray

He shall be missed for many reasons but most of all his kindness and for making everyone feel like part of his loving family.



You will remain in our thoughts and we will miss that twinkle in your eyes.

Saranac Lake and Sekon ~ where do I begin?! The memories that were created and the men and women who nutured us into the people we are today. I was a regular in the Cavanagh-Sekon Guide House. Although I was not a member of the immediate family, my Aunt Jean and Uncle Joe welcomed me into their home each summer. Through them I met the Monks family. The pillow fights, the night the Monks men dug me out of a ditch during the Olympics, the wonderful smell in Mrs. Monk's kitchen(something was always cooking), and the constant smile on Mr. Monk's face. I have a very vivid memory of a ride from Long Island with Mr. Monks to Sekon. If my memory serves me correctly it was in a VW bug. It was a white-knuckle trip as I recall: it went a little faster than the other trips I had taken and although we talked and laughed all the way, I was glad to see Sekon.

Mr. Monks was a true representative of the men of his era. A man devoted to his wife and children. He was the first in line when you needed help and he always showed up with that twinkle in his eye! His influence is visible in the children he fathered with Mary. I am a better person for knowing Mr. & Mrs. Monks and of course, Aunt Jean and Uncle Joe. I bet they are having one heck of a party up there, reunited!

I live every day with the benefits of knowing these great individuals.

My prayers are with the family.

To all the Monks family.

Richard, Ryan, Kristen and I were greatly saddened to hear about Mr. Monks passing. We all remember being up at Sekon, heading back up to the house after a long day at the beach and seeing Mr. Monks sitting, whistling and commenting how that darn hill was becoming a little steeper every year. He was such an integral part of the beginnings of Sekon as we all know it today. He may be gone, but rest assured he will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Love,

Peggy, Richard, Ryan & Kristen Stoeppel

Houston, Texas

To all of the Monks family;

Our heartfelt sympathy at your loss

He was a very good man and we owe him and the other founders of Sekon a huge debt of gratitude.He will be missed but never forgotten.

To a wonderful guy who knew what mattered most in life, we're all richer for having known you. Thanks for sharing Sekon with us....but about that dock Dick?!

Love always,

Amanda, Ginny, and Joe Cavanagh

Sincere condolences to all of the Monks. Mr.Monks was such a calm man, always whistling while he did his fantastic carpentry work. I have such wonderful memories of him, that date back to childhood in Valley Stream, when Mr. Monks would knock on the back door, just dropping in to say hello to his old friend from Brooklyn. He really was a nice man, with a drole sense of humor and an incredible whistle! I will always remember him at Sekon, sitting on the porch watching out over the lake. He loved to see his family and friends enjoying themselves.He was a deeply peace-filled man who loved his family and his life. I will miss him.

A sad page has turned in the lives of all the Monks and Lehmans to!

The passing of your Father and our dear friend ends a 63 year friendship and what a unigue friendship it was.

Your mother from Utah ours from Illinois and the two New York boys.

World war 2 brought out the greatest genoration the world has ever known!

Here is a little testimony to that fact.

My father was between trucking jobs and times were tight to say the least.Well here comes Mary & Dick and a VW micro bus loaded with rug rats. Knock knock on the door it's the Monks family loaded down with groceries and a story that goes something like this.

Marge you have to do us a favor Mary went and bought way to much food its going to spoil please take it off our hands.

What can you say about Men & Women of this stature.

The world lost some greatness on November 22 that infamous date that lives in our hearts and minds and will never be forgotten!

I speak for all the Lehman's when I say to all of you. On this thanksgiving day our meals will be less filling the conversation will be heavy in heart and soul.

My oldest brother James (jimmy)and his wife Janet now live in Del-Ray beach FLA. Greg and his wife Diane lives in Pennsylvania. Dennis and his wife Maryanne lives near Cindy and myself. Dick loved to speak with Cindy offened he really admired her.

I will be in New York next month and would like to visit the cemetery could one you send me the info?

Once again are deepest sympathy.

The Lehman Family

Mr. Monks was a great man and will definitely be missed. My deepest simpathy to the family who has treated me as family. God Bless.

Grandpa,

You were the best person I have ever known. A terrific grandfather, and role model. I have only the fondest memories of you and our trips upstate, and to Quebec, and just around Bellmore. You will live on forever in our hearts.



I love and miss you so so much.

-Jessica

It has been a privilege for having been in the company of this wonderful man. An eternal optimist, who saw and lived every moment in a positive light with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. The power of his humanity and wisdom is reflected daily in his daughters and sons who draw their strength of character from his unparalleled example of a life well lived. Mr. Monks, forever in heaven and forever in my heart.

Got to know him, a little through my sons and his sons-Rented his beautiful Lake Shore Camp- But I knew I was dealing with an honorable man, devoted husband and a good father figure- They call it a :" Stand up guy " Ev and I will miss him, but not forget him.

May special memories sustain you all during this very sad time.



Sincerely,



Maureen Creagh

No gentler or kinder man has there ever been, whose unique ability to disarm and charm all who ever had the pleasure of having made contact with him. No, was a word that did not exist in his vocabulary. He made himself available to all who ever needed him, and will be forever cherished. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him was forever changed by his generosity and spirit. I will miss him deeply.

Grandpa, we will all miss you, but we know your passing was for the best. Now, you can always watch over all of us and you're no longer in any pain. We love you!

I was saddened to receive the news of your father's passing. Many a pleasant summer day was enjoyed by my family in your house in Saranac Lake all of which was possible through your father's generosity. Each interaction that I had with your father left me with the impression of what a kind and gentle man he was. His legacy and memory will live on through all of you. Please accept my and my family's condolences.