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John Philip (Phil) Monahan, age 90, passed away peacefully in Lexington on Thursday, July 20, 2023, surrounded by his children who were blessed to be with him in his final days.
He was born on Oct. 15, 1932, son of Tim and Liz (Fayne) Monahan of County Roscommon, Ireland.
Phil was a native son of San Francisco, Calif., (Burlingame) where he attended Junipero Serra High School excelling in football, basketball and baseball. He headed east in 1951 to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1955 with a degree in electrical engineering. While at Navy, he was a two-sport letterman in baseball and football and captained the 1954/55 football team as half-back. That year, Navy defeated heavily favored Ole Miss 21-0 to win the SUGAR Bowl, earning them the title - A TEAM CALLED DESIRE. His football teams went 3-1 against Army. Upon graduation from USNA, Phil was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps serving God, Corps and Country for 35 years, and rising to the rank of major general. He served two combat tours in Vietnam and commanded units ranging in size from platoon to Marine Expeditionary Force. He earned an unrivaled professional reputation and widespread respect for his passionate dedication and service to his Marines.
He struck gold when he met and married his soulmate, Mary Teresa (Terry) Vanderbeck of Glen Rock, N.J., on May 30, 1959. What they were shorted in time of only 41 years of blessed marriage by Terry’s early passing in 2001, they loved a lifetime, raising a tight-knit family while living on/around numerous military installations and coping with multiple deployments and separations. When not deployed, Phil was often coaching, umpiring, and volunteering in the community. His athletic prowess and competitive nature were passed down to his children who all excelled at sports at the collegiate level.
After retirement from the Marine Corps in 1990, Phil returned to his love of sports and served as the director of football operations, initially at the University of Virginia and subsequently at Boston College, where he continued to instill the fighting spirit, and ethos of others before self to our future generations.
Striking gold again, God further blessed him with one more soulmate when he met and married fellow widow, Suzanne Thomson from Roselle Park, N.J., in 2003. They settled on Long Beach Island, N.J., where they became beloved parents and grandparents to a now larger extended family, eagerly traveling far and wide to fully embrace family sporting events, graduations, first communions, confirmations and weddings.
In addition to his parents, Phil is predeceased by his first wife, Terry; brothers Tim and Tom; his second wife Suzanne, and Suzanne’s sons Peter and Michael. He is survived by his brother, Jim Monahan (Janie) and sister Cecilia Wilkinson (George); children, John Monahan (Marcela), Dan Monahan (Terri), Mary Kate Looney (Patrick), Bob Thomson (Tina), Karen Flannery (Jeff), David Thomson (Kathy), Maggie Thomson and Christine McNally (Michael). The “General” is also survived by 28 loving grandchildren, Bridget, Kiley, Patrick, Mary Grace, Kathleen, Shannon, Cecilia, Margaret, Bailie, Cullen, Nolan, Tali, Seamus, Patrick, Finbar, Michael, Jack, Mary, Grant, Scott, Ryan, Morgan, Greg, Taylor, Robbie, Mikey, Andrew and Brad, who all certainly inherited his competitive spirit and keen sense of humor.
A devout Catholic, Phil was a man of deep faith with remarkable character who embodied SEMPER FIDELIS towards God, Country and Family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend whose larger-than- life persona will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A full-honors funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. Date and details will be announced on www.legacy.com when available.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made “In Memory of MajGen John P. Monahan ‘55”. Donations by mail may be addressed to the attention of Victoria Sever, Gift Administration, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, 301 King George Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, (410) 295-4122 or made online www.usna.com in tribute.
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