Thomas Joseph Monahan

Patent Attorney Was Also Former Professor Of Botany

Thomas Joseph Monahan, 69, of Sandy Hook, died December 25, at his home. Mr Monahan was born February 15, 1942, in Hartford, son of Mary (Cashen) and John F. Monahan.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from The College of The Holy Cross, received a PhD from the University of Connecticut, and a JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center. In his early career, Mr Monahan was a professor of botany at Providence College and Rutgers University. After receiving his law degree, he went on to the Pennsylvania State University where he served as director of the Intellectual Property Office. Most recently, he was self-employed as a patent attorney.

Mr Monahan is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn (Lynn) Murphy Monahan, and their four sons, Brian, and his wife Tory, of Mill Valley, Calif., Kevin of Milford, Christopher of Washington D.C., and Patrick of San Francisco; his brother Jack Monahan, and his wife Agatha, of West Hartford, and his sisters and brothers-in-law Claire and Stephen McNamara of West Hartford and Carol and John Hilton of Parkton, Md.; two grandchildren; and 11 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, Saturday, December 31, at 10 am. Friends may call in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Friday, December 30, from 6 to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to Masonic Care Home Health & Hospice, 139 Toddy Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470. 

The Newtown Bee       December 30, 2011