Richard J. Monahan

Local attorney Dick Monahan will long be remembered for his wit, wisdom, honesty and most especially, his deep faith. Fair dealings, kindness and a warm smile were his constant companions.

He taught law to legions of students at his alma mater, Boston College, and Dick was fondly remembered by each of them. His classes were enlightening, thought provoking and memorable. He had a gift for teaching and despite an enormous reservoir of knowledge and experience he never made his students feel small. He knew how to coax the best out of them.

Dick was born in Waltham on October 6, 1933, one of six children of Paul and Mary Elizabeth (Hargadon) Monahan and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Waltham before heading off to Boston College. Before he could earn his degree, duty called, and he answered by joining the United States Army where he served for two years during the Korean War.

After his discharge he finished up at B.C. and a chance meeting on campus with a Jesuit friend turned him toward a career in law and he soon matriculated at Boston College Law School. Dick began a private practice in Waltham where he also served for two decades on the Waltham School Committee. He was first elected while he was still a senior in law school.

Dick would testify that his best day came on October 17th, 1964 when he married Faith A. Corcoran in Saint Mary’s Church and the pair became long active in parish life. Dick was a member of the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the parish Divine Mercy group.

He and his family spent many happy summers at their home in Chatham where they were faithful followers of the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. On days when baseball duties didn’t prevail Dick could be found on Harding’s Beach or clamming on Oyster River.

Richard J. Monahan died at his Waltham home on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 following a period of declining health. He was 90.

In addition to his parents, he joins in heaven his cherished daughter, Deborah E. Kavey [† December 27, 2019] and his siblings, Madeline Andrews, Paul and Francis Monahan and Elizabeth Marden.

He leaves his beloved wife of almost sixty years, Faith, and his childen, Kathleen A. Olsen (William) of Rutland, Vermont, Mary E. DiChaira of Waltham and Joan P. Streeter (Mark) of Darien, Connecticut; his son-in-law, John Kavey of Waltham; his grandchildren, William Olsen (Mary Kate), Mary Casey (Donovan), Claire and Sean Olsen, Kaitlyn Garrity (Robert), John, Jr., Richard and Caroline Kavey and Megan, Mark, Jr., Katherine and William Streeter; his great-grandchildren, William Olsen, IV, Patrick Olsen and Donovan Casey, Jr.; his sister, Claire Lilly of Tennessee; his sister-in-law, Janet Monahan of Sudbury and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, July 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent dePaul Society, Saint Mary's Parish, 133 School Street, Waltham, 02451 or online at https://stmarywaltham.org/. 

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam