Paul Monaghan, Jr. February 01, 1928 - October 12, 2017



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Paul Monaghan, Jr., 89 of Gladwyne, PA, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 12, 2017

Paul was born on February 1, 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Paul Monaghan and Marguerite Harrity Monaghan. Raised in Wynnewood, he graduated from the Haverford School in 1946, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture in 1952.

Paul met Virginia Fox on the grass courts of The Merion Cricket Club in 1947, and they married in October 1952. He and Ginny had a loving partnership for 65 years, during which time they raised seven children. He was a loving father and at his happiest when attending his children’s sporting events and other activities. In later years he enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles with his grandchildren.

Upon graduation from Penn, Paul joined his father’s architectural practice. His first assignment was to design the squash courts at The Hill School. Over the years, he had the opportunity to work on projects for Vanguard, the University of Pennsylvania and the United States Squash Racquets Association, among others.

Paul designed several buildings at the University of Pennsylvania, including the Ringe Squash Court Complex and the Veterinary School at New Bolton Center. His innovative design for the Ringe Squash Courts included the first glass-walled court, which later became the standard for squash court design around the country.

Paul joined Cushman & Wakefield as a commercial real estate broker in 1978 and was later appointed Branch Manager of the Philadelphia office until his retirement in 1998.

He was Chairman of Philadelphia’s Foundation for Architecture in 1986 and 1987. It was in this capacity that he played a role in reshaping the Philadelphia skyline, serving on the Mayor’s Council to allow Center City Buildings to be built higher than the top of Billy Penn’s hat on City Hall.

One of Paul’s most cherished accomplishments was the consulting assistance he provided to Sister Mary Scullion and Project Home. Sister Mary founded Project Home to help put an end to the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia.

Paul’s passions included architecture, international travel, racquet sports and family. He had an extensive collection of tennis memorabilia that he donated to the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. He was proud of his Philadelphia heritage and treasured the city’s rich cultural history. He enjoyed spending time at the Athenaeum, the Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Paul was pre-deceased by his parents, four sisters and a grandson. In addition to his wife of 65 years, Virginia Fox Monaghan, Paul is survived by 7 children: Carol Weir (Kevin), Alec (Ansie), Peter, Jay, Tom, Bill (Alison), Allison Miller (Dean), and 18 grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday October 28th at 11am at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to visit the Church after 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to Sister Mary Scullion’s Project HOME, 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia PA 19130.



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