Obituary: Thomas Monaghen of Watertown

Obituary courtesy of Hickox Funeral Home

WATERTOWN- Thomas Monaghen, born April 15th, 1940 in Dallas, Texas, a gentleman of the first order, passed away on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021. A Navy veteran, he traveled the wine dark seas (Homer) on an aircraft carrier (USS Lake Champlain) in the 1960’s. Originally from the Dallas, Texas, area, the Navy introduced him to Rhode Island, where he later worked for the city of East Providence as a civil engineer and raised his family.

Sadly, in the middle of his life, Tom lost his beloved first wife, Mary Lou, (and before that, their son Stephen) and then, thank The Heavens, he met and married Carol. A second chance at love was a beautiful one, marked by mutual support and admiration. They traveled the country many times over. Tom at the helm of their big dual wheel Dodge 350, expertly towing a thirty foot plus trailer. God blessed them with many years of adventures and companionship. Carol often paid Tom the highest compliment saying: “He was always a gentleman–always filled with goodness. Always.”

Tom was a thoughtful, constructive person. He exuded a positive energy and a sense of decency that was palpable at all family events. If someone needed help carrying a tray of food, or if an elder relative needed a sturdy arm, without hesitation, Tom bounded toward them with a laugh and a smile. In fact, he always seemed to move with a bounce in his step that was youthful, even well into his later years. Tom never turned down a sweet treat.

Tom volunteered for the Carolina (RI) Fire Station and the Watertown Library. He donated blood regularly.

Many people can attest that, if you needed a shelf hung, an air conditioner installed, a garden gate repaired, windows washed, a table refinished, Tom was your man. The meticulous engineer, shining brightly, got the job done right and never in a shoddy fashion.

Tom and Carol loved one another’s families and were actively involved in entertaining and spending time with each other’s children and grandchildren. The two families became one.

Survived by a large loving family, including his wife, Carol Monaghen, their kids: Rick Monaghen and his wife Doreen, Jeff Monaghen, Ruth Sangree and her husband Michael, Cathy Civitello, Russell Romano and his wife Irish, Christopher Romano, and Stephen Romano and his wife Lisa, and many grand and great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Watertown, CT on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.Alz.org).