James J. Monaghan

Waltham – Mr. James J. Monaghan died Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at his Waltham home. He was 82.

Jim was born in Waltham on February 12, 1934, a son of the late John and Agnes (Tully) Monaghan, and had been a lifelong resident. After high school he served with the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

Until his retirement he worked as a transportation manager for over forty years with the Raytheon Company and for twenty years served as a member of the board of directors of the Raytheon Credit Union before retiring from that position in 2012.

As a kid Jim was a pretty good athlete in baseball and in hockey. After he got out of the service he joined the French-American Victory Club softball team where he played a stellar first base. He was a part of the French Club team that won the championship in 1959.

After he retired from Raytheon he went to work for the City of Waltham's Tobacco Control Division where he was a pioneer in spearheading efforts in those years to scale back the sale of tobacco products to minors and encourage restaurants and public venues in the city to become smoke-free.

The greatest joy of his life however came on September 6, 1958 when he married Waltham native Norma M. LeBlanc in Saint Joseph's Church in Waltham. The pair met on a blind date two years earlier and the day of their marriage was notable for another reason too . . . it was the very first day that the newly constructed upstairs worship space was open for ceremonies.

Jim and Norma made Waltham their home and together they enjoyed a lifetime of travel that included visits across America and around the globe.

He had been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 953; the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 and the Toastmasters Club, all in Waltham.

In addition to his wife of fifty-seven years, Norma, Jim leaves his children, Michael P. Monaghan and his wife, Janet, and Patricia M. Campbell and her husband, Ray, all of Waltham; his grandchildren, Kelly M., Michael P., Jr., Kathleen P. and Colleen S. Monaghan and Haley M. and Ray A. "Alex" Campbell, IV; his sister and brother, Helen Puglisi of Bullhead City, Arizona and Thomas Monaghan and his wife, Jean, of Waltham and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was also a brother of the late John Monaghan.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jim's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, March 22nd from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fisher House Boston, P.O. Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071 or to Good Shepherd Community Care, 90 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459.