Obituary of Walter J Monshaw

Walter J. Monshaw, of West New York, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2017 surrounded by loving family. He was 93 years old. Walter was a cherished friend, uncle, son and brother. He was born on December 2, 1923 in Hanto, PA near Nesquohoning, to Walter B. and Marion (Thear) Monshaw. He moved with his family to New York City where he graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1941, receiving his diploma on the stage at Carnegie Hall. In December 1941, Walter enlisted in the US Army and was called up in February 1942. After basic training he went to Clemson University in South Carolina for a special engineering program. Walter’s Army career put him at the center of World War II’s tumult as he saw action in London and was part of the supply team that readied the troops for the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. When he returned to the US in 1945, his mother was alerted to his homecoming when she opened the late edition of the Daily News and saw a photo of three GIs on the gangway of the SS Robin Tuxford. One of those smiling young men was Walter. He went on to several jobs as a laborer and in construction. In 1951 he joined Hodge and Hammond Construction Equipment in Bronx, NY, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Walter loved horse racing, the Metropolitan Opera, the casinos in Atlantic City, the NY Giants, all sports, all things Irish and spending time with his greatest companion, Mary Reilly. He leaves behind Mary; his devoted nephews David (Sacha) of Huntington Beach, CA and Andrew (Susan) of Connecticut; loving great-nieces Sydney and Stella and great-nephews Alexander and Russell; and many loving friends in Hudson County, NJ, Ireland and Australia. He is predeceased by his brother Valdemar Monshaw of Cherry Hill, NJ. Friends may call on Sunday, January 15, 2017, 2 pm to 5 pm at Konopka Funeral Home, 9046 Palisade Avenue, North Bergen. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army or your favorite charity. Burial private.