Joel P. Monger

Joel P. Monger passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He leaves a legacy of love, grace, and dignity behind. Known as “Louie” (after playing a role as Louis XIV in a school play) to family and close friends, Joel was born on March 1, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA to Philip and Hazel (Demuth) Monger. He grew up in Bay Village, OH in a family that was steeped in books and classical music. He graduated from Bay High in 1956, then attended Purdue University from 1956 - 1958. When his parents retired to Florida, Joel transferred to the University of Florida where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. Immediately after graduation, Joel attended the United States Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Officer School at Chanute AFB, Illinois. Upon completion of this program, Joel married his college sweetheart, Marghuerite D’Alessandro Monger and they began married life stationed in Finchingfield, Essex, England. After achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant as an aircraft maintenance officer for the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Wethersfield, Joel was honorably discharged, and he and Marghuerite returned to start civilian life in Virginia. Joel and Marghuerite (Maggie) had a loving marriage and their mutual love, respect, and affection for each other was always an incredible example. He had a close relationship with Maggie’s family, and a close friendship with Thomas L. Woods, a Delta Chi fraternity brother and husband to Maggie’s twin, Julie D. Woods. Joel worked as an engineer, general contractor, and project estimator for over four decades, with one decade in developing encryption technology. He retired from the Sherman R. Smoot Construction Company of Washington, DC in 2006. Joel had a major role in the construction of many Washington DC area landmarks, including Wolf Trap Farm Park Center for the Performing Arts, the foundational works for the District’s Metrorail, and the second control tower at Dulles Airport. Joel was a true egalitarian and prided himself on loyalty to family, friends, and work. He was also a true practitioner of ecumenism, as he served on several committees at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Vienna, VA for many years alongside Maggie. He was raised Episcopal, but viewed the Apostolic Creed as applicable to anyone who chose to adhere to it, a sentiment that was shared by the clergy at St. Mark’s. Joel was welcomed into the community without reservation. In keeping with his talents, Joel helped on the building committee when a new church was commissioned. He was always available to family and friends for assistance and advice (and was never afraid to get into the mud of a construction site, professional or otherwise) about building projects, Time and time over the years, Joel showed his love for his Maggie by building out sunrooms, adding fireplaces, decks, and generally being the guy who could build or fix anything in our Vienna, VA neighborhood. Joel and Maggie realized a long time dream when they completed the construction of a beach home in Chincoteague, VA and hosted good friends and family for years–it was a true escape for them and next to our yearly fishing trips to Canada it was Joel’s favorite place to be. Joel loved to fish with his own uncle, Jody Monger, and several memorable Cleveland, OH family reunions took place both in Canada and in Joel’s hometown. Joel also had a passion for philosophy, classical music, Washington DC football (many Sundays after Mass were spent listening to Joel as he expressed his opinions about inept coaching or player performance) and he found beauty in nature. When an animal was found abandoned or in need, Joel managed to find time and means to help, even building a hutch and bottle feeding baby squirrels after a storm blew their nest down. Joel was a romantic, and often went to bring roses to his bride as she taught at Wolf Trap Elementary in Vienna. There were countless evenings where he would clean the kitchen after family dinner while Maggie graded her students’ papers. He was so proud of her accomplishments as a beloved teacher in the Vienna community. Maggie’s sudden death in 1999 ended their earthly marriage, but now Joel is reunited with his beloved in everlasting life. Joel was incredibly proud of his son Chris, daughter Janelle and her husband Bryan, and his two grandchildren Margot and Paul. The family wishes to thank everyone who cared for Joel as he endured the difficult stages of Parkinson’s disease, including the staff at Arbor Terrace and a special friend, Almeda Zent. In accordance with Joel’s wishes, a simple ceremony will take place in Fort Myers, Florida where his ashes will be interred with Maggie’s. The family encourages donations in Joel’s name to any charity of the donor’s choice. If a suggestion is helpful, donations can be made to the Wellstar Foundation, Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain. The giving site can be found at wellstar.org/givetohospice

Joel P. Monger

March 1, 1938 - December 17, 2022