Anthony John Monahan

Anthony John “Tony” Monahan, 89, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Louise Monahan; his parents, James Monahan and Mary (Minnitti) Monahan; his sister, Joan M. Jones; his brothers, Robert E. Monahan, who gave his life in the Vietnam War, and James W. Monahan Jr.; and his daughter, Robin L. Monahan. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth Foster, Janice Cornell, and John Edward Monahan; his son-in-law, Dan Cornell; his grandchildren, Mary Elise Marshall, Ryan True, Caitlyn Monahan, and Damon Foster; and his best friend and canine companion, Rusty.

Born on February 14, 1936, in Camden, New Jersey, Anthony John lived a life marked by service, diligence, and tenacity. At 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1954 to 1962. He graduated from the U.S. Navy Submarine School, earned his dolphins, and served as an RD3 radarman aboard the radar picket submarine USS Ray (SSR-271), spending much of that time overseas. After the Ray’s decommissioning, he continued in the U.S. Navy Reserve. The discipline, precision, and watchfulness he learned at sea became hallmarks of his character ashore.

After his service, he worked for a regional moving company, earned his CDL, and became a long-distance truck driver. During those road years he met Mary Louise, asked her mother’s permission for a first date, and began the partnership that shaped his life. He later moved into technology as a systems engineer at UNIVAC, then joined Digital Equipment Corporation as an engineer and eventually an engineering manager. In 1987, he and Mary Louise co-founded SysPro, a local IT systems company, where he served as vice president for nearly twenty years. His first attempt at retirement did not stick; he returned to work as a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier for the better part of a decade.

Anthony John’s faith and community were central to his life. For nearly forty years he devoted countless hours to Good News Free Will Baptist Church, where he was known as Brother John. He served as trustee and usher, led maintenance for Good News Christian Academy, drove the school bus, sat on the school board, collected food bank donations, and joined mission work in Moldova and Venezuela.

He found happiness outdoors and staying busy. He liked to fish, birdwatch, play golf with friends, hunt with his son and grandson, and tend a lawn and garden that thrived under his uncanny green thumb. He loved all animals, especially dogs, and Rusty was rarely far from his side. He cherished the ocean and family trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Panama City Beach, Florida.

He had a warm, playful sense of humor, enjoyed a good laugh and teasing banter, and was known for his filler word “wasname.” He could be particular and was never afraid to speak his mind. If he was stubborn, it came from a sense of responsibility; he needed to see things well cared for, whether it was his home, his business, his family, his animals, his garden, his church, or his community. May we honor his legacy through hard work, good humor, faithful stewardship, and time spent in nature.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, at Good News Free Will Baptist Church, 5200 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, Virginia, with military honors. Following the service, all are welcome to join the family for a luncheon and time of fellowship in the church reception hall. Private interment will take place the same day at Dale Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project and Good News Free Will Baptist Church.

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