Bernard Joseph Monaghan's Obituary
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Bernard entered the House of the Lord on November 1, 2002. Born at Manhattan, NY, as Arthur Philip Monaghan on April 12, 1929, Bernard was adopted and re-named as Bernard Joseph by his Uncle and Aunt. Industrious, inquisitive, and ingenious, Bernard had street savvy, good with his hands and mind, a Â"naturalÂ" and jack of all trades. He held the NYC Lightweight Boxing Title, graduated from Evander Childs High School, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, studied engineering at Fordham University, NY, before joining the United States Air Force to train initially as a pilot, then as a draftsman. TSGT (P) Monaghan served at Elmendorf AFB, AK; Eglin AFB, FL; Scott AFB, IL; Tachikawa AB; and supervised the Graphics Draftsman Division at McChord AFB, WA. While stationed at Eglin, Â"MontyÂ" met his soon-to-be wife, Berneda June. TSGT Monaghan received numerous recognitions as a draftsman and athlete culminating with the Air Force Commendation Medal. Besides his devotion to his family, BernardÂ's passions were schooling, baseball, mechanics, and planning and building. After the Air Force, he worked reverently on his Â"castleÂ" during the day and as a custodian at the McChord PAX Terminal and then Allenmore Medical Center at night. Bernard graduated from Clover Park Technical College with diplomas in Technical Illustration, Machine Design, and later Automotive Mechanics. Mr. Monaghan worked as a draftsman and civil engineer for American Manufacturing and Lindal Cedar Homes, drafting blueprints of equipment modifications, parts books isometric drawings, and module vacation homes. In retirement, DadÂ's service was to his children. Handyman work was his specialty. Work clothes, leftovers, worn furniture and fixtures were Â"good enough,Â" but Bernard went Â"the extra mileÂ" for his family and many others.Bernard is survived by his wife, Berneda June, four daughters, Eileen, Theresa, Roseanna, and Debbie, two sons, Matt and Tim, ten grandsons, and three sisters, Josephine and Kit, Elizabeth. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 18, 2002, at St. John Bosco Parish, 10508 112th St SW, Lakewood. Interment, with Military Honors rendered by Untied States Air Force, will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery.
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