MONAGHAN, John

MONAGHAN, John Anthony “Tony“ - Self-declared Irish Ambassador of Sudbury - Tony died peacefully and surrounded by love on February 27, 2012. He was born in Navan, Co Meath Ireland in 1932 and immigrated to Canada in 1957. He lived in Sudbury for more than 50 years working in the mines at Inco for 10 years followed by a nearly 30 year career selling cars for Sudbury Motors, then Gardner Motors and finally Mike Doyle's Chrysler. He was an active member of the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury for decades, holding several offices over the years including President and Social Convenor. A lifelong sports fan extraordinaire, he was a loyal Sudbury Wolves season ticket holder and Chicago Blackhawks fan. An athlete in younger years, he was a member of the much celebrated Polish White Eagles soccer team in the late 60s, including in 1966 when they won the Anderson Cup and in 1969 when they won the All Ontario Championship. He loved the Emerald Isle and all things Irish. He could definitely carry a tune, and often entertained with his own versions of “Delilah“ and “Dear Old Donegal“. Following retirement, he enjoyed many summers with his long-time devoted companion Chris Moroso, on Cape Breton, an island that was second in his heart only to Ireland. He was well loved by the Cape Bretoners with whom he and Chris socialized. Left to mourn are his four children: Siobhan (Colin Arnold), Damhnait (Nigel Morris), Barry (Brenda Gluska) and Sean; their mother Gabrielle; seven grandchildren: Kyle, Michael and Kate Arnold, Ben and Rebecca Morris, and Emily and Sarah Monaghan; long-time companion Chris Moroso and her sons, Darren (Sandy and son Michael) and Gerry (Denise and their daughters Lauren, Candace and Alanna); eight younger siblings: Mary (Paddy deceased), Betty (Brendan), Brigid (Ritchie), Vera (Larry), Jim (Sheila), and Raphael all of Ireland, Joe (Rosaleen) of Ajax, and Peter (Julie) of Sudbury; and many nieces and nephews around the globe, including much-loved and loving Lauren Monaghan with whom he shared an especially close relationship. Lauren thanks for the wonderful care you gave him over the years. You are one of a kind. Tony enjoyed a wide circle of friends in Sudbury. He was social, loved a party, a game of cards, a meal with friends and family, and going to the Isles to watch soccer, rugby or Gaelic football. He had an infectious smile and had a way of charming us all. The family extends special thanks to Peter, Julie, Lauren and Kayla Monaghan, Joe and Rosaleen Monaghan, George and Elaine Courtney, Pat Ecclestone, Chris Moroso, Darren and Sandy Moroso, and the Sunday breakfast club for your support and love over so many years, but especially in the last few years as he adapted to new routines. His life was richer for having you a part of it. Heartfelt thanks as well to the nurses at the Dialysis Unit at Health Science North who treated him with such love, respect and dignity, and Drs. MacDonald, Goluch, Nistico, Ewing-Bui, Smith, DeBlacam, and the nurses and staff at ICU and 7B, and The Walford. Visitation Friday, March 2, 2-5pm and 7-9pm at LOUGHEED FUNERAL HOME (252 Regent St., Sudbury); Funeral Mass at 1pm on Saturday March 3 at Our Lady of Hope Church (591 Brennan St Sudbury) with reception to follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests a donation to the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury in support of Organ Donation (216 Copper St., PO Box 60, Sudbury, ON P3E 6E8), Canadian Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.ca ) or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( www.jdrf.ca ). To light a memorial candle, donations or messages of condolences available on-line at www.lougheed.org