Obituary for Paul Monaghan
Paul Kane Monaghan, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, in Roanoke, Va., at the age of 88. He was born on January 29, 1932. Paul was extraordinarily devoted to his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Ann Monaghan, who passed away on December 4, 2018. Together, these two best friends raised four children, as well as being actively involved in the lives of their seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. All of which they loved and were so proud of.
Paul spent his early years in Gettysburg, Pa., where he was able to, at the age of six, witness the 75th and last reunion of the Civil War veterans who made history there. From Gettysburg his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School and developed a love for sports car racing. Paul joined the U.S Naval Reserves at the age 18 and served for 12 years. He and his wife Carolyn, moved to Herndon, Va. with their young family in 1961, where they lived before retiring to Roanoke, Va. in 2005. He had a long career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace and military industries. In retirement, he continued to pursue his interest in all things technology related. Paul was also an avid dog lover, with special affection for his beloved Garth and his surviving companion Mia. He was also very dedicated to his Catholic faith and his church, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke, Va. Paul also loved people. He was quick to make friends and no one could have a more loyal friend than Paul.
Paul is survived by his four children, Susan M. Browning and husband, Richard, of Clifton Forge, Va., Sharon M. Monaghan of Laurel, Md., Stephen M. Monaghan of Charles Town, Wv., and Joseph F. Monaghan and wife, Hillary, of Hutchinson Island, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Michelle G. Trunnell and husband, Matt, of Bluemont, Va., David T. Goodwin and wife, Heather, of Leesburg, Va., Melissa R. Phillips of Fredericksburg, Va., Andrew K. Browning of Fredericksburg, Va., Allison H. Williams and husband, Matt, of Clifton Forge, Va., Samantha R. Monaghan of Arlington, Va., and Sean P. Monaghan of Charles Town, Wv.; and six great-grandchildren, Brianna C. Goodwin of Arlington, Va., Sophia N. Trunnell of Bluemont, Va., Cole B. Goodwin of Leesburg, Va., Gabriel B. Trunnell of Bluemont, Va., Annebelle M. Williams of Clifton Forge, Va., and Grace O. Goodwin of Leesburg, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Kane Monaghan, Sr. and Thelma Bill Monaghan, as well as his sister, Anne Green. He is survived by his brother Patrick Monaghan of Silver Spring, Md.
Services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, Va. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oakeys.com.
A Simple Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
Paul spent his early years in Gettysburg, Pa., where he was able to, at the age of six, witness the 75th and last reunion of the Civil War veterans who made history there. From Gettysburg his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School and developed a love for sports car racing. Paul joined the U.S Naval Reserves at the age 18 and served for 12 years. He and his wife Carolyn, moved to Herndon, Va. with their young family in 1961, where they lived before retiring to Roanoke, Va. in 2005. He had a long career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace and military industries. In retirement, he continued to pursue his interest in all things technology related. Paul was also an avid dog lover, with special affection for his beloved Garth and his surviving companion Mia. He was also very dedicated to his Catholic faith and his church, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke, Va. Paul also loved people. He was quick to make friends and no one could have a more loyal friend than Paul.
Paul is survived by his four children, Susan M. Browning and husband, Richard, of Clifton Forge, Va., Sharon M. Monaghan of Laurel, Md., Stephen M. Monaghan of Charles Town, Wv., and Joseph F. Monaghan and wife, Hillary, of Hutchinson Island, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Michelle G. Trunnell and husband, Matt, of Bluemont, Va., David T. Goodwin and wife, Heather, of Leesburg, Va., Melissa R. Phillips of Fredericksburg, Va., Andrew K. Browning of Fredericksburg, Va., Allison H. Williams and husband, Matt, of Clifton Forge, Va., Samantha R. Monaghan of Arlington, Va., and Sean P. Monaghan of Charles Town, Wv.; and six great-grandchildren, Brianna C. Goodwin of Arlington, Va., Sophia N. Trunnell of Bluemont, Va., Cole B. Goodwin of Leesburg, Va., Gabriel B. Trunnell of Bluemont, Va., Annebelle M. Williams of Clifton Forge, Va., and Grace O. Goodwin of Leesburg, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Kane Monaghan, Sr. and Thelma Bill Monaghan, as well as his sister, Anne Green. He is survived by his brother Patrick Monaghan of Silver Spring, Md.
Services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke, Va. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oakeys.com.
A Simple Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.