Dennis M. Monahan

Dennis M. Monahan, 78 years old, of Richboro, Pennsylvania passed away November 17, 2025. His family had been in his constant attendance up until his passing. He was born in Philadelphia to the late Edward J. Monahan and Mary T. Monahan (Reed).

Dennis grew up in Oxford Circle, where he attended St. Martin of Tours then Father Judge High School. He was a proud LaSalle Explorer where he attained a Bachelor's Degree in Economics in 1968 and then his Master's Degree from Penn State in the field of Economics in 1970.

After spending a year as a substitute teacher in Philadelphia's public schools, he began his financial career as an internal auditor at Arco where he traveled the United States learning the business. Dennis then took a job as a manager at ChemLink in Newtown Square, PA where he was a part of the famous Van 29 commuter crew. He then spent time as a CFO at Johnson, Kendall, and Johnson, Barrington Plastics, Freedom Chemical, IRM, and finally Murphy Marine. Upon his retirement, he found his second career as a lunchroom grandparent at St. Katharine Drexel Regional school, where he was often tasked with corralling the boys' during their rowdy games.

It was at a party in Somerton where a young lady approached Dennis and said her friend, Patricia (Pat) Tholey, might be interested in him. They were married in 1971 at St. William's Catholic Church with the reception at the United German Hungarian Club. They remained married for 54 years.

Dennis' favorite place was the Jersey Shore. He spent his youth renting houses with friends, where they got into many adventures. He returned to the Jersey Shore, specifically Sea Isle City, each year with Pat's family for an event later dubbed Tholeyfest which grew to 50+ people on the beach. Dennis would buy donuts each morning, cook breakfast for all awake, (including pounds of bacon), and head to the beach early when it was empty, his favorite time of the day. He would organize football, wiffleball, and box ball games in the sand, excursions to the Wildwood water park (where the family was always first in line), take kids out on the
dyellow tube and bad man boat, and challenge any and all to a body surfing contest.

In 1983, Dennis was asked to help coach a youth basketball team at Northampton Township by a neighbor and friend. He soon moved to St. Bede the Venerable CYO where he coached for over 30 years. His teams included several City Championship soccer teams and countless Region 19 Championship basketball teams. He was the architect of expanding the basketball program from a four team sport into a 20+ team powerhouse. He coached athletes of all skill levels from developing players to future Division 1 and NBA athletes. He helped pioneer the Surf's up fast break offense that St. Bede's teams still run today. He also coached many Little League baseball teams in Northampton baseball, with less on-the-field success than his soccer and basketball ventures.

Dennis was a fervent game player. His favorite card games were hearts, pinochle, poker, and Gin Rummy, which he taught to his children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He loved board games, specifically SORRY! And took great joy in smashing pieces off the board while madly yelling at his latest victim.

Dennis was a devoted Philadelphia sports, college basketball, and Penn State football fan. He loved the Phillies and took to his grave the scars from the 1964 end of season collapse. He harbored a near lifelong resentment of the Boston Celtics and Red Auerbach. He attended every championship parade through the 2017 Eagles Superbowl. His passion for college basketball began at the Palestra with the Big 5, but he soured on Villanova when they began to avoid the city series. Every Saturday he watched Penn State football and, in later years, yearned for the era of 1970s-1990s Penn State style play.

Dennis had a passion for music, specifically Rock and Roll. He loved Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Dion and the Belmonts, Danny and the Juniors, Harry Chapin, Sam the Sham, and so many more, all of whose songs he would play along with in his car using his kazoo. At heart, Dennis was truly a Dead Head, even getting his wife Pat, who was 7 months pregnant at the time, to a Grateful Dead concert in 1981 at the Spectrum. He tolerated all forms of music in his house, even rap, so long as the explicit lyrics could not be heard aloud. He grew to appreciate and like later bands such as Tom Petty, Van Halen, Journey, Guns N Roses, The Ramones, Green Day, and the Dropkick Murphys. Later in life he even began to listen to country music.

A devout Catholic, Dennis served the church in various roles throughout his life. He taught 1st grade CCD. He and his wife Pat worked as greeters to new families in St. Bede's parish, reaching out to newly registered parishioners. Dennis severed the congregation as a Eucharistic Minister, administering communion in church and to the sick and elderly of the community. Later, he and Pat were part of the fundraising committee for the St. Bede's church renovations.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Patricia Monahan (Tholey); sons Dennis Monahan Jr of Alexandria, Christopher Monahan and wife Jennifer of Plymouth Meeting, and Timothy Monahan and wife Jennifer of Holland; grandchildren Christopher Patrick and Tara Catherine (Chris) and Margaret Rose and Michael Todd (Tim); brother John W. Monahan; sisters Margaret Hogan and Mary Glynn; cousins Mary Alice Raymond and Delores Woodburn; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers Edward Monahan Jr and Francis Monahan and cousin George Reed Jr.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 10:00am-11:30am at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA. A funeral mass will follow. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery, Richboro, PA.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Dennis name to St. Bede the Venerable CYO (payable to St. Bede CYO: 1071 Holland Road Holland, PA 18966) or Father Judge High School (payable to Friends of Father Judge Highschool, Inc. 3301 Solly Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19136).