PATRICK GERARD MONAGHAN of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Eilleen, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease on December 17th at the age of 79 years.

Patrick was born on December 8th, 1932 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth and brother to thirteen. It was apparent early on that to compete with that many brothers and sisters he was going to need to be fast and strong and he took these qualities to the track and field. Patrick won the All-Ulster Decathlon title in the 1950's and was eventually the first athlete from Ulster to capture the All-Ireland Championship in Dublin in 1955.

Patrick continued his love of sports, competition and adventure and immigrated to Canada in 1957. He worked briefly for Imperial Oil Limited in Norman Wells, NWT. It was during this period that he was lucky enough to meet his soul mate and the love of his life Eilleen, on a blind date in Edmonton. A whirlwind courtship developed and a few short months later they were engaged. Patrick and Eilleen were married on July 2, 1960 and shared a beautiful and sacred marriage for 51 years.

Patrick and Eilleen moved to Lethbridge in 1963 where he continued to be very involved with community athletics and organized sports. He competed with the Lethbridge Track and Field Club in the '60's and '70's, served as a coach and referee in the minor soccer and hockey programs. He continued to be active even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1983. Patrick was also an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, The Knights of Columbus and later volunteered at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and was a co-founding member of the Southern Alberta Parkinson's Society. He loved to fish and spend time working on projects at the ""Krushel -Monaghan"" Cabin in south-western Alberta.

Patrick considered himself fortunate to work for the Alberta Government for 29 years developing many friendships from a very eclectic group as was always his way. He tested the waters as an entrepreneur, along with his brothers Eiver and Seamus, when a decision was made to purchase Lethbridge Industries Ltd. in 1969. The brothers owned and operated the Company for over twenty years before trusting it to the next generation.

Patrick's Faith and Religion was his most important guide and he lived his life serving others and as an inspiration to his wife, family and friends. As the disease took his body it was never able to shake his love and trust in the Lord.

Besides his loving wife Eilleen, Patrick is survived by his three sons Michael and Joan of Lethbridge and their daughters Brenna and Kathleen, Gerard and Diane of Calgary and their daughters Joelle and Melissa and Daniel and Jodie of Lethbridge and their daughters Vanessa and Shareen. Patrick took great pride, happiness and love in the accomplishments of his family and loved them all dearly.

Patrick is also survived in Canada by his brother Seamus (Patricia) Monaghan, sister Siona Monaghan and sister-in-law Teresa Monaghan and in Ireland by his brothers Joseph (Anna) and Sean (Sheila) Monaghan. He was predeceased by his brothers Francis, Raymond and Eiver and sisters Philomena, Mary, Anne, Teresa and Una. His is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12th Avenue South, led by Francis and Cybele Norohna and Maureen Condon-Horon.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, with Father Tim Boyle celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society of Southern Alberta, #102 5636 Burbank Crescent SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1Z6.