Terrance Monahan

Terrance D. Monahan “Terry” died on 12/13/21 after a short illness. Survived by children Sharon (Wayne) Roberson, Kathy (Kevin) Emerson, Teri Ann Monahan, Colleen (Larry) Peters, Kelly Sala, and Patrick (Marla) Monahan; sister Maureen (Bill) Maskrey. Preceded in death by beloved wife Loretta.
When describing Terry Monahan his children often declared proudly “our dad is a rocket scientist.”  For nearly four decades he was an aerospace engineer at Lockheed Martin.  Terry loved his daily commute to the Waterton Canyon plant and loved designing and being part of space related programs.  He spent hours recalling details of his work at Vandenberg, California and the Cape in Florida.  One of the highlights of Terry’s career was taking his devoted wife Loretta to a launch at Cape Canaveral.
Born in Denver, his family moved to Washington D.C.  and his early years were filled with discovery as his brothers and sisters explored the city and surrounding areas.  His love of the nation’s Capital city remained strong throughout his life.   In 2016 he and his daughter Sharon returned visiting all his favorite places in NE Washington including his childhood home and Catholic Church where he was an altar boy.  On the trip Terry and his daughter spent time at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial.  Until the end of his life Terry was a proud Marine reveling in everything Corps related.  In 2017 he was one of a handful of Veterans selected to be a part of the annual Rocky Mountain Honor Flight program in Washington D.C.
Being a Marine was one of Terry’s proudest achievements.   He served on the front line in Korea for eighteen months.  Upon returning home, his parents and sister Maureen relocated to Denver and he followed.  He met his wife of 56 years, Loretta, at his first civilian position at the Denver Federal Center.  Loretta was smitten almost immediately and Terry with movie star looks couldn’t resist her easy laugh and beautiful blue eyes.
Terry and Loretta raised six children and a grandson in the Lakewood/Green Mountain area, all the children still reside in the area devoted to their wonderful parents.  Terry and Loretta’s home was always the epicenter of family get togethers with 10 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren never missing Sunday dinners or holiday celebrations.
Terry and Loretta were a sensational duo with a large group of relatives and friends who loved to laugh, have a couple of drinks and hang out in the mountains, family barbeques or watching the Denver Broncos.  Their children remember the happy memories, even many years later, recounting the great outings and many adventures.
Terry was also an avid athlete, he played competitive softball, loved a round of golf and ran marathons.  Like many Irish Catholics he followed Notre Dame football religiously. One of the highlights of his life was visiting South Bend for a football game with his son Patrick.   He and his wife were members of Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church for many years.  The Wednesday church coffee group, especially important after his wife died, providing support and friendship.
SEMPER FI POPS – We love you so very much and feel blessed you are with Mom and Kathy!  Until we all meet again dearest Papa.
Vigil Service Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 6:00 pm, Horan & McConaty, 5303 East County Line Road, Centennial, CO. Funeral Mass Thursday, January 20, 2022, 10:30 am, Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church, 13922 West Utah Avenue, Lakewood, CO. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery, 2:00 pm.