Alexander Michael Monus

Alexander Monus passed peacefully from this world on October 19, 2012 at the age of 78 years. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Sharon of 49 years and his children, Jerry (Marcia), Mary and Kevin. Also left to mourn his passing are 8 grandchildren, Daphne, Jody (Mark), Stacie, Sarah (Tom), Tracy (Jake), Trevor (Nicole), Kimberly (Christopher) and Michael (Lisa) and 7 great-grandchildren, Greg, Haley, Colby, Camden, Kubo, Haley and Kacey.

A Celebration of Alex’s Life was held at Airdrie United Church on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Clinton Cornelius from Grace Chapel of Airdrie officiating.

Alexander was born September 19, 1934 in the town of Tazlar in southern Hungary. He was born the second son of Shandor and Maria Monus in a modest farming community. Little is known about his youth except that he left Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 by route of Austria, England and eventually Canada which he would call home the rest of his life.

He arrived in Canada with only one suitcase, not speaking the language, a stranger in a strange land. After taking a university course in English, he made his way to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories where he worked in the Goldmines for several years, saving up his money and mastering the English language.

After a few years, he and his friend Chris Weyts went into business together in a gas station in the community of Forest Lawn in Calgary. It was at this time that he met the woman who was to be the love of his life, Sharon Hinrichs. They were married on March 30, 1963 and on that same day they both became Canadian Citizens. It was a very good and happy day!

Sharon’s son and daughter, Jerry and Mary, soon came to love Alex and call him Dad. He started a new job at Domtar packaging where he would eventually retire 35 years later. On October 17, 1963 their son Kevin was born.

Over the next several years Alex and Sharon enjoyed much traveling all over the western United States, their favorite spot being Phoenix, Arizona. Sometimes they travelled just the two of them but other times these trips they were accompanied by family members.

Besides his family, Alex had two accomplishments which he was very proud of. One was retiring early at the age of 58 years and the second was his chess playing ability. He rarely lost a game.

Alex and Sharon bought their first home for $8,200. After moving several times to larger and nicer homes, they finally settled in Airdrie where he would spend his remaining years.