Obituary for Emmet Frances Monaghan
On May 28, 2022, beloved husband, father, grandpa, and friend, Emmet Francis Monaghan died of natural causes at home in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He was 87 years young. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Ellen McCarthy Monaghan, and by his sister, Seana Monaghan Pangia, who both died in 2008.
Born in Canandaigua, New York to Emmet Monaghan and Elsie Knopf, he began his career on the family dairy farm, and earned his BS degree from Cornell University. He married Ellen McCarthy in 1964, welcoming two children. Emmet earned an MBA from Syracuse University and in 1976, the family moved to California.
Throughout his life, Emmet got great satisfaction from being with, learning about, and helping other people. This passion fueled a varied and dynamic career that included leadership in commercial insurance, risk management, and strategic advising, later becoming a consultant in retirement. He shared his time, talent and expertise with many faith-based and non-profit organizations including, among others, the Diocese of Oakland, Saint Mary Church in Walnut Creek, the Franciscan School of Theology, and Horizon Services.
Beyond his professional life, Emmet loved to read, travel and entertain friends with expertly prepared meals and lively conversation. He met his second wife, Susan Huey, in 2012 while traveling in Canada, and they married in 2013, living in California and North Carolina. Always on the go, they just returned from a trip to Tuscany and Umbria, and were already planning another trip for Fall 2022. He was best known for his warm and welcoming nature, lightness of spirit, engaging laugh, sage advice, and his tireless pursuit of what was right and just.
Emmet is survived by his wife, Susan Huey Monaghan, his daughter, Kathleen Monaghan, his son, Tom Monaghan (Ingrid), his grandchildren Claire and Quinn Monaghan, Susan's daughters, Marielle Yilmaz (Ty), and Melissa Ausburn, her grandchild Margaux Yilmaz, extended family, and many friends.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please honor Emmet with a donation to the charity of your choice.
Born in Canandaigua, New York to Emmet Monaghan and Elsie Knopf, he began his career on the family dairy farm, and earned his BS degree from Cornell University. He married Ellen McCarthy in 1964, welcoming two children. Emmet earned an MBA from Syracuse University and in 1976, the family moved to California.
Throughout his life, Emmet got great satisfaction from being with, learning about, and helping other people. This passion fueled a varied and dynamic career that included leadership in commercial insurance, risk management, and strategic advising, later becoming a consultant in retirement. He shared his time, talent and expertise with many faith-based and non-profit organizations including, among others, the Diocese of Oakland, Saint Mary Church in Walnut Creek, the Franciscan School of Theology, and Horizon Services.
Beyond his professional life, Emmet loved to read, travel and entertain friends with expertly prepared meals and lively conversation. He met his second wife, Susan Huey, in 2012 while traveling in Canada, and they married in 2013, living in California and North Carolina. Always on the go, they just returned from a trip to Tuscany and Umbria, and were already planning another trip for Fall 2022. He was best known for his warm and welcoming nature, lightness of spirit, engaging laugh, sage advice, and his tireless pursuit of what was right and just.
Emmet is survived by his wife, Susan Huey Monaghan, his daughter, Kathleen Monaghan, his son, Tom Monaghan (Ingrid), his grandchildren Claire and Quinn Monaghan, Susan's daughters, Marielle Yilmaz (Ty), and Melissa Ausburn, her grandchild Margaux Yilmaz, extended family, and many friends.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please honor Emmet with a donation to the charity of your choice.