Craig Cyril Monahan

CRAIG CYRIL MONAHAN, 58, Passed peacefully away at home in the presence of his loving family on July 10th, 2020 in The Woodlands, Texas. Craig was born on November 16th, 1961 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. He graduated with undergraduate and masters degrees in engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). Craig completed his PhD in engineering at University College London, UK, in 1994.

Craig met his wife Jill in St. John’s in January 1981. Within a very short period of time it was evident they were meant to be together forever and their love grew into marriage on August 19, 1989. There followed the exciting adventure of moving to London while Craig pursued his doctorate. They loved exploring Europe together, created a wonderful circle of new friends, and welcomed family and friends from back home to join them in their travels.

Craig loved life and the wonderful family he built with Jill. He treasured his children, Beth and Sean, and together they created so many fun and loving memories. Craig made Jill, Beth and Sean his absolute priority, always. Their deep connection to one another is obvious to anyone who knows them – Four Musketeers Forever!

While inspiring two budding engineers in Beth and Sean, Craig enjoyed spending countless hours providing guidance on science projects, calculus and engineering problems. Craig also had an imaginative side and, along with Jill, created the most unique and special parties. His family and friends will always remember him as a generous, humble, brilliant, kind person who lived life fully.

Craig’s career spanned decades, from a professor at MUN, to engineer at C-CORE, OIS Fisher, HMDC, Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil. Accepting two assignments with ExxonMobil in Texas, The Woodlands became a second home for his family. Craig was passionate about his work and loved being an engineer, mentoring young engineers and sharing his vast knowledge and expertise.

Despite numerous treatments over the past four years and the toll that took on him, Craig handled his illness with grace, strength and a healthy dose of humor. He was a gentle warrior who set an example of resilience, steadfastness, and love for his family, friends and colleagues.

Craig is survived by his devoted wife Jill, nee Hawley and beloved children Beth and Sean. Predeceased by his parents Francis Monahan, mother Sadie (nee Howell), father and mother-in-law Gerard Hawley and Betty (nee Browne), sister-in-law Jane Hawley. He is lovingly remembered by siblings Paul (Sandra), Sharon (Gerard), Shelly and Glen; brothers-in-law Karl, Keith (Ceeanne); sister-in-law Fluff; nephews and nieces Greg (Victoria), Shane (Sarah), Evan (Jessica), Leah, Adam (Lauren), Maggie (Jamie), John (Kirstie); great-nephews and nieces Luke, Owen, Victoria, Maisie and Billie; Aunt Alice (Montreal), Uncle Jim and Blondie (St. John’s), and a wide circle of family and friends.

A very special and deeply heartfelt thank you to Craig’s sisters Sharon Nash and Shelly Monahan who came to be with Craig, Jill, Beth and Sean to provide support these past few months and years. The family sincerely thanks Dr. Jennifer Wang and all the other incredible oncology physicians and nurses at MD Anderson who cared for Craig these past four years.

A funeral is scheduled for Friday, July 17th at 2:00PM Central. Due to Covid-19 safety measures the service will be for immediate family only. You may view the service live via: www.facebook.com/ForestParkWoodlands or a link on

www.dignitymemorial.com at 2:00PM Central, 4:30PM NL time.

In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted in Craig’s memory:

MD Anderson Cancer Center: www.mdanderson.org or

Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre, St John’s, NL, Canada: www.cancercarefoundation.org

A celebration of Craig’s life will take place in St. John’s at a later date.