James Joseph Monaghan

James Joseph Monaghan passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2021, with family members by his side. During his 90 years, he was a faithful servant to the Lord, a loving husband to Gail for 64 years, a caring and encouraging father to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was also a supportive member in his many public service communities to which he dedicated himself to throughout his life.

Jim, “Big Jim” to some, was born March 27, 1931, to James Patrick Monaghan and Mary “Marion” Josephine (McCluskey) Monaghan in Lakewood, Pennsylvania. Jim, along with his sister Mary, spent their early years helping their parents on the farm. After graduating from Sussex High School in 1948, he attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey, and graduated from Oswego State University of New York in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. His plan was to become an IA teacher and share his knowledge and love for building/creating.

However, his plans were changed with the Korean War. On November 1, 1953, Jim was inducted into the military life at Naval Air Station (NAS) Niagara Falls as an Ensign. His first duty station was going to flight school at NAS Pensacola where he became an aviator. After flight training, Jim was stationed at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Where he met Gail Hope Greenhalgh on a blind date that never ended. Soon after, on December 14, 1957, Jim and Gail were married.

Jim was loyal to his commitments and dedications to his faith, his family, and his country. While Jim and his family were on the East Coast, he worked on many different projects. He was an NROTC teacher at Brown University, a flight trainer for Squadron Traron 3 in Milton, FL, a member of the CINATRA staff in Pensacola, FL as well as being involved with the Navy’s precision flight team, aka the Blue Angels, before moving to the West Coast.

In 1972, while stationed at NAS North Island, Jim and Gail settled and made a home in Chula Vista, CA, in which they never left. By this point of his military career, Jim had achieved the rank of Commander and was a Combat Information Center (CIC) officer aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk CVN-63. Jim’s cruises took him to the far east for nine months at a time. He wrote letters to Gail and his children to keep in touch. Jim’s last duty station was the U.S. Navy Tactical Interoperability Support Activity group in Point Loma, CA when he retired in 1980.

After 27 years of serving his country, Jim joined the civilian workforce at the local Handyman, a home improvement store chain (Pre-Home Depot). He enjoyed sharing with people his home remodeling skills by day, while by night he attended classes to become a Certified Building Inspector. Jim was hired as a home building inspector for both El Cajon and Chula Vista where he achieved the status of “Senior Building Inspector”. He treated each homeowner with respect as he made sure their homes were constructed in a safe manner and by code. After working in this field for 11 years, Jim decided it was time to truly retire.

During his retirement years, Jim and Gail were able to travel to destinations within the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Cruises to Alaska, a river excursion down the Mississippi, a trip on the Copper Canyon Railroad, and spending time with the locals in Parma, Italy were some of the places Jim enjoyed with Gail. Both enjoyed their family visits best of all. Especially the family reunions that took them to all four corners of the USA. When not traveling, you could always find Jim tinkering in the garage. His many hobbies included gardening- his incredible staghorn ferns & fruit trees, woodworking-making stained-glass pictures and mirrored windows, car care-his El Caminos, home improvement projects-to include room additions, roofs, flooring, electrical, plumbing and was always a wealth of information for those who asked. Another aspect of Jim was his love for the San Diego Padres. Jim and Gail had season baseball tickets and enjoyed their game nights for many years.

Being an active participant in local service organizations was an important aspect of Jim’s retirement. As a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Jim spent years as the treasurer and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 3368. Jim was also a member of the local MOAA, (Military Officers Association of America, Sweetwater Chapter) serving as President and faithfully attended the meetings. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protected Order of Elks, Lodge 2011. He and Gail also delivered food to the homebound through the Meals on Wheels program where they were recognized with the 2009 George A. Scott Award. Jim was active in supporting the organizations he believed in with his donations of time and money.

Jim is survived by his wife Gail, their children and their spouses, Thomas and Jacqueline of Carson City, NV, Patrick and Lucia of El Cajon, CA, Erin and Michael Mitchell of Battle Ground, WA, Shawna and Marc Ward of Sun City, AZ, and Maureen and Evan Gwilliam of St. Croix, USVI, and their 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

The Monaghan family welcomes you to attend a Rosary and Viewing for Jim. They will be held at Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista, 753 Broadway Ave, Chula Vista, on Wednesday, January 26 from 4 pm - 8 pm. The Rosary will be spoken at 7 pm. Jim’s funeral services will be held at St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista on Thursday, January 27, at 11 am. Following the funeral, he will be laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. There will “Celebration of Jim’s Life” afterwards.

If you would like to make donations in Jim’s name, please consider any of the organizations he supported during his life.