Please enter a minimum of 2 characters to search.
Please enter a minimum of 2 characters to search.
Memorial Keepers(2)
They manage this memorial. Contact or join
Donald V Moniak
December 10th, 1925 - April 19th, 2017
December 10th, 1925 - April 19th, 2017
Donald Valentine Moniak passed away in his home in Littleton, Colorado on April 19, 2017, with Rose, his beloved wife of 63 years, at his side. He was 91.
Don was born in Superior, Wisconsin on December 10, 1925. At the age of 16, he moved to Detroit, Michigan with his mother and stepfather, Virginia and Jerry Malinowski.
Around his 18th birthday, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served with the 385th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of Operations from January 1945 to August 1945. Among the citations awarded to him were the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal.
After the war, Don returned to Michigan where he worked in the auto industry and the U.S. Post Office. On June 14, 1953, he met Rose Ann Coronella, of Boston, Massachusetts at a ballroom dance. They were married in Boston on April 24, 1954 and were a graceful pair on dancefloors throughout their life together.In 1956, they moved to Massachusetts.
Don worked in the construction industry, retiring from International Association of Iron Workers Local 7 in 1987. Always invigorated by heights, the highlight of his career was being a member of the steel erection crew for the 60-story John Hancock Tower, Boston’s tallest building.
Don’s personal life was dedicated to Rose and their seven children, all of whom graduated from Billerica Memorial High School in Massachusetts and later earned bachelor degrees from colleges across the country. He appreciated the outdoors, found peace in the quiet of natural landscapes, and spent much time in the summer camping and exploring New England with his family.
In 1992, Don and Rose relocated to Littleton, Colorado to be near their daughters and enjoy the Rocky Mountains and their surrounding open spaces. Don continued to work full time at a variety of jobs until he decided to officially retire at the age of 82. He was an active parishioner in St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Littleton for the past 25 years and attained the Patriotic Degree for his years of charitable work with Knights of Columbus Council. He loved serving others and was entirely comfortable talking with people from all walks of life.
Don is survived by his wife, Rose A. Moniak, and his seven children; Steve Moniak, Cambridge, MA; Rich Moniak, Juneau, AK; Jo Edmondson, Paonia, CO;, Don (Karen) Moniak, Aiken, SC; Ginny (Tom) Bank, Boulder, CO; Julie (Steve) Bunch, Berthoud, CO; and Christine (Tom) Day, Boulder, CO; 11 grandchildren (Michael, Ed, Tyber, Tracy, Jessie, Marisa, Mattias, Marcos, Autumn, Abby and Kevin); and one greatgrandchild (Nathaniel).Don will be dearly missed by his family and loving friends.A Rosary Service was held on Monday, May 1, at Horan & McConaty Funeral Center, in Lakewood. A Funeral Mass was held, Tuesday, May 2, St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton. It was followed by a Military Funeral Honor ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver. Burial with Military Honors. A member of the U.S. Army presented Rose with the American Flag. Don’s ashes were laid to rest in Section 57, Grave 7.
Create an event page to coordinate a gathering in honor of Donald
Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Donald’s life with a heartfelt message.
Rich Moniak
Sunday, April 23, 2017 3:21 PM Fishing with Dad is my earliest memory of sharing quiet time with him in the natural outdoor world. In the early 60s, he’d take Steve, Jo and I fishing at Horn Pond in Woburn, Mass. With a jarful of worms which he taught us to find, beginner fishing poles, and a tackle box, we’d jump into out blue Rambler after dinner. Finding a spot along the shore he’d outfit our poles with small red bobbers, bait them with worms, and help us cast the lines into the water. Dad never fished himself. He seemed content to share our excitement whenever there was action. If we reeled in a small yellow perch, he would remove the hook from its mouth, toss the fish into a bucket of water, and help us get the baited hook ready for another cast. And if one got away, he’d laugh it off and encourage us to try again. After moving to Billerica, we’d fish from the banks of the Concord River on the south side of River Street. While we older three had learned to do it all ourselves, Dad had a new pupil in our younger brother Don. I stopped fishing with Dad early in my teenage years. It wasn’t unitl 2002 when he and Mom visited me in Alaska that I had a chance add to those childhood memories. This time I took him out on the northern end of the Inside Passage in a 16 foot aluminum skiff to troll for silver salmon. I baited the hooks with herring and showed him how to lower the line into the water. As we waited, Dad’s eyes often wandered to the scenery of forests, mountains and the sea. Occasionally a bald eagle would fly overhead. And whales would spout in the distance. I knew he wanted to take pictures, but after each wayward glance he’d return his focus the lines dragging behind the boat. After about an hour his reel began screaming as a fish pulled the line away. He followed my instruction to play the fish instead of trying to bring in in too soon. When it was finally beside the boat I reached for the net. But before I could get it over the side, the fish made a desperate leap and broke the 20-pound line. Remembering his casual nature from years ago, I told him not to worry. They’ll be more. Dad caught two small silvers that day. Worried he’d lose another, he asked me to handle the rod as soon as they were close to the boat. But he got to net them and bring both onboard. Afterwards, we spent an hour watching humpback whales gracefully break the surface, spout and show us their flukes as they dove deeper. Dad got frustrated when he realized his camera had run out of film. But he was rewarded for laughing it off when one whale came within 200 feet of our boat. On the way in, we stopped and pulled the crab pot. There were two decent sized Dungeness we would add to our salmon dinner. When we got home and showed Mom our catch, he laughed as he told her about the big one that got away. I'm already missing your laughter, Dad. Rest in Peace. Love, Rich Rich Moniak (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Rich Moniak
Monday, April 24, 2017 11:38 PM The little things I will miss about my dad His love of numbers and dates, combining them in odd ways and then going to play the lottery. His love for photo albums. We are still finding new ones that we never knew existed. His laugh. Loved that he laughed and joked so much first days after he came home. His never-ending supply of hidden coins. I have vivid memories of them being brought upstairs in Nestle Quick Cocoa tins and coffee cans from deep in the bowels of our basement. We would sit around the kitchen table and count them into rolls, once to help pay for the camper. Also, one time they were hidden in the car when we were in the white mountains and used to pay for an extra night at a motel. I have a bag of coins to cash in that Mom just found the other day. Wonder how many more we will find. His love of good food. I remember his giant desserts, usually cake plus ice cream, every night after working all hard outside all day. The last few years at our house for Thanksgiving, he would sit by the appetizer table and talk to everyone while sampling everything. Watching him and Mom play Rummikub outside on the picnic table at the condo The sound of the TV on in the den when I visit. How he always collected the wrapping paper in a big box while presents were being open at Christmas How he rearranged the dishes into the dishwasher after someone else loaded it Things Dad taught me - How to ride a ride a two-wheeler by running beside me and pushing my bike from behind How to drive. First lesson in the parking lot at Purity and then a few days later giving me the keys to drive all the way to Hershey Pennsylvania for vacation A strong work ethic - he never missed work, even when he was in his 70's. Up before dark my entire childhood, and then worked more when he got home and on the weekends on the yard, house and building things A love of libraries - once a week he took us kids to the Billerica Public Library leaving my mom an evening to herself. This is one of my most cherished memories An early love of the mountains from our many vacations to NH. How to be frugal, especially about turning off the lights. To be friendly to everyone How I know I my father’s daughter I always need to be busy around the house I love puzzles I love to eat I love the music of his generation, Glenn Miller, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra I love camping - recently saw a photo of us camping in a pop up trailer when I was a baby I love and appreciate men who know how to work with tools and build things (In fact, I married one) Rest in Peace Dad - I know you were worried about leaving Mom, but you don't have to worry, we'll take good care of her for you. Love Ginny Ginny Bank (Boulder, CO) (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Rich Moniak
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 8:52 AM Jack and I will miss Uncle Don very much. Great memories from the get togethers. Grace Coronella (Millis, MA) (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Rich Moniak
Monday, April 24, 2017 6:11 PM I always remember visiting the Moniaks and wanting to spend time with Don. The ladies took over everything! So I would hand out with Don and he would show me his puzzles or tell me stories of his time in Detroit. Such a sweet man dedicated to his family. Nicole Jolley (Arvada, CO) (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Rich Moniak
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 8:43 AM We remember Uncle Don as a kind, quiet, gentle man with a ready smile. He was completely devoted to his beautiful family. We are so sorry for your loss. Our love to you. JoAnn (Coronella) and John Phillips (Brewster, MA) (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Rich Moniak
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 5:31 PM My favorite memory was when I came to CO the first time and we went to a mountainous state park. I could barely breather in the thin air, yet he wanted me to "hustle" to the top for pix. He RAN ahead of me, got to the top and wanted pix immediately. I was huffing and puffing and barely standing. He was in his 60's then, if not early 70's. Way to go Uncle Don! Ann Sheehan (Gilbert, AZ) (originally posted on Memorialwebsites.legacy.com)
Copyright © 2026 Keeper Memorials, All rights reserved.