Edward Waters Monahan

Edward W. Monahan was many things to many people. Husband to Joan Walpole Monahan for sixty years, the couple raised four girls (Elizabeth Monahan Colantuono, Cathleen Monahan Johnson, Margaret Monahan and Leslie Monahan) in Groton and Apalachin, New York and later in the Fort Lauderdale area. For 32 years Ed worked for The Prudential Insurance Company. A truly remarkable insurance salesman, Ed was always ranked among the highest agents nationally and was a member of the million dollar round table. He maintained his status due to his firm belief that every family should plan for the unexpected and his commitment to try to honor each client by selling what he believed was in their best interest, no more, no less. One of Ed’s greatest lifetime achievements was giving up drinking in 1990, never tempted to drink again. He was told at AA when you give up one thing you should pick up another. Ed Monahan picked up a tennis racket. He was a “seeded” Senior Singles player during the 1990’s and came to love and excel at Doubles which he played until 2012 when he moved to Orlando to be closer to his wife and children. Although members of the Sunrise Tennis Club (formerly Welleby) might say tennis was his first love they would surely remember that, in reality it was family. Ed Monahan took care of his mother in his home for many years when she could no longer care for herself. His dedication went far beyond what most men would do and included dressing, bathing and even setting her hair in curlers. What he did to care for his mother, “Margie”, was a rarity and when his mother finally passed the church was filled with Prudential agents, tennis players and nurses who saw first hand “Eddie’s” unbridled love and dedication. Ed’s triumphs on the courts were legendary, particularly when he saved several people by giving them CPR while waiting for EMC’s. When his partner Tico passed out in the locker room, Ed was able to bring him around by whispering in his ear, “Tico, if you don’t get up I will have to give you mouth to mouth!” While painting the family house in Sunrise Florida, Ed saved an elderly woman who drove her car into a canal. He dove into the murky water to save her, pulled her to safety traversing jagged coral, only to have her ask him to dive back in and retrieve her purse. Ed Monahan was born in Forest Hills, Long Island, New York, February 10th,1932. He was son to Theodore F. Monahan and Margaret Waters Monahan and younger brother to Margaret (Peggy) Monahan Dobroth. He was raised Roman Catholic and relied on his faith his entire life. Ed Monahan was a natural at a vast number of sports and was such a great catcher that he was scouted by the Yankees. He was one of five catchers to try out and the only one to make the attempt with an old glove from his youth which was stuffed with his mother’s powder puffs. His athletic prowess is what awarded him a full scholarship to Manlius Military Academy at 17. At Manlius, Ed Monahan played varsity football, baseball, basketball, wrestling and soccer. He was Senior Class President. In 1951 he went to Hobart College, Geneva, N.Y. where he played football, baseball and fell in love with his brown eyed girl, Joan Walpole, who was attending Hobart’s sister school, William Smith College, next door. Ed and Joan married July 28th, 1954. That same year, Ed was called to duty for The United States Army. Once again, Ed’s unique talent was recognized and he was selected to serve his country as a baseball catcher. He played baseball in Germany for the Army until he was honorably discharged in 1956. Ed’s family grew to include son-in-laws and 6 grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly and will share his funny stories and life lessons for years to come. When Ed Monahan died from Cholangiocarcinoma in the wee hours of July 2nd 2015, he was surrounded by his wife and four girls, along with Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care of Orlando, providing him with ongoing, loving, in home care. Just days earlier, on Fathers Day, he proclaimed it was, “the happiest time of my life”. Ed showed courage in the way he lived his life. He had incredible willpower. A legion of friends and his extended family will remember him for teaching them the true meaning of “family”. He once said, “Life is full of changes and fear. We have to face them and make the best of each situation”. Edward Waters Monahan lived “Monahan Strong” A private service and a celebration of his life to be set at a later date If you would like to honor Edward Monahan in any way please consider the follow organizations: Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care whose “Ruby” team were an incredible gift to both Ed and his family. nbuchholz@cshospice.org (352) 742-6800 The Cholangiocarcinoma “Campaign for the cure 2015” for online donation: http://cholangiocarcinoma.org/campaign-for-the-cure-2015/ or (801) 999-0455

Edward Waters Monahan

February 10, 1932 - July 2, 2015