Obituary of Joseph Gregg Monahan

Joseph Gregg Monahan went to the Lord on May 23, 2017 at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, New Jersey. "Gregg" was born on May 21, 1920 in Altoona, PA, one of three children of the union of Martin Lewis Monahan and Margaret [Clark] Monahan. Upon graduation from Altoona High School in 1938, "Gregg" became a union masonry apprentice and worked on construction projects including Penn State University buildings at State College, PA. He also was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as a tool and die maker when he was called to service by the mobilization of the Pennsylvania National Guard in February 1941. On January 15, 1944, "Gregg" married Cecilia S. Gruszka who predeceased him on January 23, 2015. "Gregg" met his wife who was employed at National Pneumatic, Rahway, New Jersey. Sergeant Monahan was on leave from the Pacific and was escorting film actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr on a war bond tour through the plant where he met Cecilia. When "Gregg" was called to service, he reported to Fort Benning, Georgia as a member of the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team. He was dispatched to the Pacific where he was a combatant in many campaigns including Paupa New Guinea, Morotai, Palau and Philippines Island Campaigns including Leyte and Luzon. After suffering injuries, he became a first class diver [454] with 802 A.M.S.R. Co. aboard the U.S. ARS Duluth. His service ended in the Pacific as a first sergeant [battlefield commission rejected by him] at headquarters Detachment Base K Philippines Islands. Gregg never spoke of the War in any detailed way. In 1946, Joseph and Cecilia purchased a modest home, in then, very rural Warren Township, Somerset County, New Jersey where he resided until his passing. "Gregg" lost his father, a Pennsylvania railroad engineer, in 1927. He was a child of the depression and understood the work ethic. "Gregg" had a skill as an accomplished stonemason. He was a member in good standing since 1948 of the Peapack, Somerville and Plainfield Bricklayers Masons & Plasters Union which were consolidated to Local 4 Bricklayers and Allied Trades. Later, "Gregg" became one of the first Construction Official and Building Inspectors under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Act of 1975 holding License No. 143. He was employed by the Township of Warren from 1975 – 1979 and in Raritan Township, Hunterdon County from 1979 – 1988 when he retired. "Gregg" enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He also raised champion racing pigeons, and gamecocks from an early age through his adult life. He related stories of being a "gamecock fight trainer", as a youth, for Western Pennsylvania Steel and Mining Magnate, Charles Schwab. In the community, "Gregg" was very active. He was a member of the Mount Bethel Fire Company and founding member of the Mount Horeb Fire Company. He was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign War, and Disabled Veterans Associations. He was active in boy scouts in Warren Township as a Cub Master, Assistant Scout Master, and Explorer Post Leader with Pack and Troop 228 from 1962 – 1975. He enjoyed politics on the local level and was an elected member of the Somerset County Republican Committee from 1970 – 1982. "Gregg" is survived by his son, Brian M. Monahan, Esquire of Williams Township, Northampton County, PA and daughter-in-law Sonja Carlson of Williams Township, PA. "Gregg" was especially proud of the character of his grandchildren. He was their greatest champion for their academic and athletic success. He expressed unconditional love for them in their every accomplishment. Grandchildren that survive him are: Colin P. Monahan, Esquire and his wife Lindley [Bley] Monahan of East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, PA; Sean Monahan of Omaha, Nebraska; Brendan Monahan of Williams Township, PA; and Shannon Monahan of Williams Township, PA. "Gregg" was also fortunate to have a great grandson Quinn L. Monahan of East Rockhill Township, Bucks County, PA. "Gregg" was predeceased by his brother Martin Eugene Monahan of Altoona, PA; sister Marjorie [Monahan] Boyer of Harrisburg, PA; and brother Philip [Corless] Monahan of Altoona, PA. "Gregg" found strength in his faith and was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church, Mount Bethel, New Jersey. Visitation will be held on June 3, 2017 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920. Following the visitation will be a Graveside Service at Holy Cross Cemetery, 145 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.