John (Sean) Joseph Monaghan Jr. 77, of Lawrence passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025. Service and reception will be held at 10:30 am November 29th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS.
Sean was born on January 12, 1948 in Buffalo, New York, the son of John Joseph Monaghan and Virginia (Harrington) Monaghan.
After graduating from Canisius High School in 1965, Sean attended the University of Buffalo and Canisius College, earning a Bachelor degree in communications. He went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Linguistics from SUNY of Buffalo. While at Canisius HS, his rowing team won a national championship which was a highlight of his life.
Sean spent many years as Director Stores Human Resources Northeastern US and International for Payless Shoe Source. He managed human resource functions for operations in 10 countries. He enjoyed working with and meeting people in foreign countries and learning French and Spanish.
Sean and Janine met on St. Patrick’s Day in an Italian pizzeria. He was dressed head to toe in green and telling her his newest jokes. They were married on Nov. 17, 1972.
Sean is survived by his wife Janine, their 2 sons John (Erin) and Michael, and five grandchildren, Freya, Eleanor, Cecilia, Elsa, and AJ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kevin Monaghan, sisters Carol Fagnan and Virginia Hermes.
Other survivors include his brothers Tim (Sally) and Paul (Claudia), sisters Teresa (Jim) Minton and Mary Lou (Martin) Monaghan, and many nieces and nephews.
Sean had a lifelong love for music and was a wonderful singer. A trip to Ireland had him singing “Danny Boy” in an Irish pub, where he received a standing ovation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DCCCA of Lawrence, KS or The American Heart Association – sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home: P.O. Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
