Eugene J. “Gene” Monoski – Obituary
Eugene J. “Gene” Monoski, 89, was born at home, in South Renovo on October 25, 1929 to Joseph J. and Elizabeth (Barna) Monoski. His mother immigrated to this country and spoke broken English. Gene could understand her and would respond in English. This helped his mother with the language. But he couldn’t figure out how he was able to understand her but was not able to speak the language himself. Gene was a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and played on the basketball team. After graduation he was a Machinist Apprentice for the Pennsylvania Railroad. When he was laid off from that position, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard. He was active duty from 1951 to 1953 when he was discharged to go home to provide for his parents and brothers, when his father was no longer able to work. He returned to the railroad to do so. He then moved on to work for Piper Aircraft as a Lead/Final Assembler from 1956-1965. He supervised 25 to 30 crew members in the final aircraft assembly. While working at Piper he earned his pilot’s license. He enjoyed taking his children on Sunday afternoon trips touring the county and beyond. In 1965 he began his career with the United States Postal System in the Renovo Post Office. He was a clerk from 1965 to 1982 when he was appointed postmaster and remained until he retired. He thoroughly enjoyed working for the post office, as many people can attest to.
Gene was also Secretary/Treasurer for the Borough of Renovo from 1971 to 1979. He was instrumental in guiding Renovo after the Agnes Flood. He was acting Borough Manager responsible for the administration of all services to the Borough including the departments of Police, Sewage, Highway, Sanitation, payroll, pension fund, auditing budgetary allocation and control of an operational budget of $500,000 and a federally funded redevelopment grant exceeding $1 million. He proposed and was awarded an EDA Grant to extend the water line beyond the Borough to the village of Farwell.
Gene graduated from Lycoming College in 1972 with a BA in Business Administration with a 3.6 GPA. He did so through night school, traveling from Renovo to Williamsport, while working full-time and raising his family. He was top average in his class and won an award for excellence in the night program. Gene was one of 30 chosen to participate in a funded project by the Kellogg Corporation for promising Rural Leaders at Penn State University from 1975 to 1977 and earned a Certificate of Accomplishment.
On January 28, 1956 at St. Joseph’s, he married Catherine A. Ryan. Gene was Dad to Joseph E. (Lori Krick), Jeanne T., Michael P. (Vicki) and Gerald D. Gene was Poppy to Ryan M. Monoski (Lynn), Mary C. Monoski and Peter J. Monoski. Poppy attended any event his grandchildren were in. He was a member of Holy Spirit Parish, but his heart remained with St. Joseph Parish. A part of Gene was always in his beloved Renovo.
Gene was Past President of the Renovo Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow, Past President of St. Joseph’s Parish Council and was a life member of the Renovo Elks.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Raymond. In addition to Catherine, his children and grandchildren, he is survived by a brother Robert (Mary Ellen) Monoski, sister-in-law Emily Y. Monoski, three nephews and three nieces.
Gene’s family and his buddy Gus will miss him beyond words.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph ‘s Catholic Church Improvement Fund, Holy Spirit Parish or the Lock Haven Catholic School. (as his children and grandchildren attended Catholic School)
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 925 Huron Ave., Renovo with the Rev. Joseph Orr officiating.
A viewing for friends and relatives will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Maxwell Funeral Home, 205 Fifth Street, Renovo.
Burial with military honors will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hyner.
Online condolences can be sent to MaxwellHelt.com.
