Thomas Monahan

Thomas F. Monahan died on Dec. 3, son of the late John Henry and Marie (Terry) Monahan of Newton, from complications due to ALS. An award-winning graphic designer, furniture builder and bluegrass musician, Tom spent 27 years in publishing at IDGs Computerworld before turning his talents to furniture design. He attended Antioch College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was a 1970 graduate of Newton North High School. Tom was also a 2007 graduate of the North Bennet Street School in Cabinet and Furniture Making. Many of his classically-inspired pieces can be seen at www.tommonahanfurniture.com. He was an avid sailor, bluegrass guitar player and songwriter. He was proud to be the self-appointed Chairman for Life of the Manic Mountain Boys, a long-time group of bluegrass musicians, campers and friends. Tom is survived by his wife and fellow graphic designer, Mary Lester of Sudbury, and his siblings; Kate Marin of Fall River; Patricia Monahan and her partner, Guy Shinkaruk, of Fircrest, Wash.; John T. Monahan, his wife Viveca and their children, J. Daniel and Christina of Seattle Wash.; Moira McCarthy and her husband James of Haverhill; and Deirdre Monahan of Newton. Funeral arrangements will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Toms memory to Compassionate Care ALS at www.ccals.org.