Obituary of Patrick M. Monshau
Patrick M. Monshau
Patrick M. Monshau, aged 68, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, after a short skirmish with cancer at Lightways Hospice Center. He was surrounded by the love of his life, his children, and his sisters. Through it all, he kept his wry sense of humor and his unwavering love and devotion to all who fell within his auspices.
Pat is survived by his mother, Jeanette Ogary; the love of his life, Peggy Lambert Velemir; his wonderful children, Amy (Chuck) Mascolino, Daniel Monshau, Ariel (Drew) Olijar, Peggy’s daughter, Jessica Velemir Ybarra; and even more wonderful grandchildren, Reagan Casper, Claire and Charlie Mascolino, Andrew Monshau, Payton and Decker Olijar, and Giovanni and Kristopher Ybarra. He is also survived by sisters, Judy (Alan Malman) Smith, Mary Colleen Juricic, Valerie (Tim) Priest and Kristine Ogary.
He is preceded in death by his idol and mentor, his grandfather, Jerry Mutz; grandmother, Mary Mutz; paternal grandparents, Joseph and Lillian Monshau; friend and father-in-law, Daniel Lambert, who was a good man providing an example for Pat to follow; and son, Martin Velemir.
Pat had, what he considered, a second family; his brothers and sisters of Carpenters Local 174. There he made his most loyal and cherished friends. Pat ran a carpenters golf league and organized a monthly breakfast for his brothers so he could stay close to the boys after retirement. He’d often remark, “If you were to cut me, I’d bleed UNION BLUE.”
Patrick attended Joliet Central High School, Class of 1974, where he never picked up a book (and has not put one down ever since). He was an avid fan of baseball, playing in his youth and coaching in adulthood; from a little league coach for his son and grandsons to an assistant coach in the early 90s for University of St. Francis, where they won the Championship in 1993. He also had a love for handball, which he played for many years.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lightways Hospice Center and Pat’s RN, Guy Walters, for all of his care and compassion.
Penned from Patrick:
Do not grieve my passing. I’ve met and known many many people in my life, and I can only hope they had the honor and privilege of spending 20 years with the love of their lives, of watching three wonderful children navigate the storm of circumstance and emerge as touchstones to be loved by all that they encounter. My grandchildren blessed with the compassion and kindness and dedication in the world so lacking in those qualities. And friends, I have enough ‘help me bury the body’ friends to fill three lifetimes; to whom I can never express enough gratitude.
So you see today is not a day for grief, sorrow, or longing. Today is a day for thankfulness, love and comradeship; and perhaps, a bit of reflection. I have loved one and all of you, thank you for being a part of my life.
A Memorial Gathering for Patrick M. Monshau will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a Sharing of Memories at 5:30 p.m. As it was his request, cremation rites have been accorded.
For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
