Michael P. Monaghan

Michael “Mike” P. Monaghan, 61, of Medway, MA, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, March 13, 2026, following a six-year battle with cancer.

A devoted husband, father, and family man, Mike placed his wife Laura and their children Evan, Maggie, and Shane at the center of his world. They were his strongest loves and deepest sources of pride. He also cherished his roles as brother, uncle, neighbor, and friend. Raised in Winthrop, MA, he often shared warm stories of a childhood shaped by loving parents, four older sisters, and a close-knit neighborhood on Thornton Park. Those early years included family trips to Papoose Pond, turtle hunts, long drives with his dad, and the first spark of his lifelong passion for ice hockey.

A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, Mike served from 1982 to 1987 as a crew chief, maintaining F-4 fighter jets at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina and F-16s at Hahn Air Base in Germany. He was part of the number one maintenance unit in Europe in 1986 and the number one maintenance team in the Department of Defense in 1987. His service earned him several commendations, including an Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Longevity Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Training Ribbon. Those years allowed him to travel to twelve countries and deepened his lifelong patriotism.

After his military service, Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, where he met Laura. He later received a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College in 1999. For more than twenty years, he served as a school adjustment counselor at Dedham Middle and High Schools, where he connected with students through puzzles, games, humor, and genuine respect, helping them understand their own minds. He also coached youth hockey for seventeen years with the Tri-Valley Indians, South Shore Kings, and Massachusetts Spitfires, emphasizing discipline, conditioning, and the simple joy of the game. His unmistakable voice could be heard urging players to “backcheck,” keep their “stick on the ice,” and, most famously, “SKAAAAATE!”

Mike found peace in nature, whether tending his meticulous flower beds, walking in the woods, or quietly observing “nature’s classroom” from his window. He faced his illness with characteristic humor and grace, living by his personal mantra: “As I walk through life I try to make other people happy.” He is remembered as a beloved husband, father, veteran, coach, counselor, and friend whose warmth and laughter touched everyone around him.