Funeral was at 2:00 on August 16, 2023
Funeral service as follows:
I, Dale Monahan and wife of Joe Pete spoke:
Joe Pete was not a religious person therefore I did not feel it appropriate for a preacher to do his funeral. I am going to try to speak and hope that I can get through it.
I would like to thank you all for coming.
Joseph Peter Monahan, Sr. or Joe Pete was and always will be the love of my life.
He will be sadly missed.
I first met my husband, Joe Pete in high school. I went to a local dance with a girl friend. After we got there, she promptly told me that I would have to find another ride home.
I asked a fellow that I knew if he'd take me home.
He told me no but that he knew someone who was just dying to take me home.
Joe Pete
He did. After that we dated. Then we had a long distance romance when he went into the Air Force.
I have every letter that he wrote me.
He was stationed in Texas, Vandenburg in California. Then in Alaska. Clear MEWS. Missile Early Warning Station. He was chosen because of his ability to get along with people. The base was very small. This was during the Vietnam era. He could have been sent there. Thank God, he wasn't.
When he got out of the military, we married.
We had a good life. Tragically though we did lose our youngest son, Shawn.
We were married for 57 years.
He was also a beloved Greyhound manager. For 42 years. According to some, he was the best manager ever. That's probably true because he was the best husband ever.
We appreciate everyone who is here.
But at this time, we'd prefer no company. Joe and I would prefer to be alone.
Say a silent prayer for Joe Pete.
Honor him in that way.
Thanks very much for coming. May Jehovah bless us all.
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Saturday, August 5, 2023
My husband told the doctor that he needed to live to take care of her, and pointed to me. But that wasn't the way that it was to be.
Joe Pete was coming home with hospice. The transport people told us that we were coming at 10, then 2, then 4 and then 6, They kept changing the time. I sat with my husband and niece all day. We played music for him. "I Just Called to Say I Love you" by Stevie Wonder, "Red, Red Wine" by Neil Diamond, and "Remember When" by Alan Jackson. I even sang to him.8^) And I am not a good singer. "Lullaby and goodnight in the soft evening light. Close your eyes, Dream of sweet Paradise". He only slept. I told him that I loved him and wasn't going to leave him.
He never opened his eyes. Our son was in Blackstone at home all day for the hospice people.
I got up & went to the bathroom. My niece came to get me. Strange look on her face. As soon as I left the room and was not holding his hand, he passed away. That was probably a few minutes after 6:00 pm. I can not believe how fast he went down. He was holding on for me. I kissed him and told him that I would see him in Paradise.
I thought that we had a little time. Sadly we didn't.
I wish that I could go back in time to 1966 when we first were married and you were young and healthy! What a precious thing that would be!!
Joe Pete was always so appreciative. Even when he was in the hospital. I went and got him some candy and chewing gum. He was so thankful. He also wanted to go in his wallet and get some money to give to me for me and our son for going out to eat. What a thoughtful man and especially since he was so sick! He was and is the love of my life! It's so hard waking up without him!
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Today is December 4, 2023. Life goes on. Sometimes I wonder how or why. I am still breathing but not alive. I miss Joe Pete so very much!! It's really impossible to say how much!
I'm glad that I kept the letters that Joe Pete wrote me! I mean who doesn't want to read a letter addressed to them, telling them that they are wonderful and very much loved!!!
Joe Pete wrote me 275 letters from 8/9/1963 to 11/21/1965.
The song Soldier Boy meant a lot to me in that time.
Oh, my little soldier boy, I'll be true to you.
You were my first love
And you'll be my last love.
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