Final Salute

Kent Island resident James “Jim” Monger passed away on February 25, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was 89.

Born November 29,1935 in West Grove, PA to James and Marie Monger, he lived in Willow Street, PA until joining the U.S. Navy in 1953. He proudly served as a Navy SeaBee and was stationed in California, Bermuda, San Salvador and various ports on the East Coast. Jim married Judy Ann Bear on July 3,1960 and last summer they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Jim utilized his Navy welding skill to build a career with companies such as Control Flow, Ross Engineering, and Woodson, Inc. Jim and Judy moved to Perryville, MD in 1989 and he was with the Cecil County Government as a supervisor for the Roads Department until his retirement.

Jim’s lifelong love of the water and comradery of the boating and fishing community saw him trading in their motorcycle to get their first boat. He and Judy spent their weekends on the water and daughter Jodie joined the boat crew when she was only 6 weeks old followed by daughter Janice at 7 weeks. Some favorite boats were “The Four Jays” and “T.I.W.I.A.A.” (This Is What It’s All About). Jim loved to reminisce about the good old days in Lloyd’s Creek where he taught his girls how to bass fish, row a dinghy, waterski, and to just appreciate the experience of being on the water.

An avid fisherman throughout his life, Jim enjoyed the quiet of fishing by himself but also teaching people the sport. He volunteered as a fishing buddy for the annual Maryland Special Olympics fishing tournaments and would take anyone out who expressed an interest in learning to fish. He spent a lot of time untangling lines, unjamming reels, and baiting hooks but always enjoyed helping inexperienced fishermen. When he learned he was going to be a grandfather his immediate response was: “I cannot wait to take the baby fishing”. Granddaughter Emily got her first lesson as soon as she could stand beside him on the seawall.

Hunting was another passion and he spent deer, turkey, bear and archery seasons at the Burlington Hunting Club in Canton, PA where he was a founding owner of the camp. Jim was also a member of the Strasburg Sportsman Association for more than 40 years.

In 2009, Jim and Judy moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland (Stevensville, MD) where he spent his days doing projects at the homes of his kids, friends, neighbors, and anyone in need he met while “up town”. He was the first one to volunteer to help, and was known as the guy who could fix anything and be especially proud to do so with something he already had in his garage or one of his many sheds. It was advisable not to buy something until you described it to Jim and gave him a chance to figure out how to make it. It would be impossible to inventory all of the “Jim Monger Specials” in the possession of family, friends, and recipients only he knows about.

He had many cars over his lifetime, some collectable Corvettes, some utilitarian, many with added reflector tape, but all well-maintained, washed and waxed. The love of cars naturally led to the NASCAR racetrack. Over the years, he cheered on his favorite drivers and was occasionally at odds with Judy cheering for a different driver. Jim and family were at the inaugural race of the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis and continued the trip annually for many years. No one would be surprised to know that many of the years included setting up camp in a rented out backyard until finally agreeing to stay in a
hotel. Jim attended many of the races at Dover Speedway and a highlight was driving a race car on the track as a birthday experience.

Jim was a proud veteran and loved the country he served. There are few men more tough than those who served as a Navy Seabee. This toughness was obvious to all who crossed his path and he was the leader of all projects well into his 80s. Picture a 70-year-old Jim standing in the bucket of a tractor, raised up as high as it would go, so he could chainsaw a tree branch while the young guys watched.

He was a member and spent many volunteer hours at the Kent Island American Legion Post 278. He was awarded the first and only Crab Shack Volunteer award. Jim was in the Lancaster Big Brother program for 15 years and earned citations for being active in all of their programs.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Ann (Bear) Monger, daughters Jodie (Mark) Gray of Punta Gorda, FL and Janice Monger (James Thomas) of Stevensville MD, granddaughter Emily Gray of Washington DC, Rosie Monger (late brother Robert) of New Holland, PA, nephew Scott and Diana Monger, niece Sheri Monger of Ephrata, great nieces and nephews Zach, Logan, Isaiah, Karli, Tyler and Brooke, cousin Dennis (Betty Jo) Grimm, cousin (late Steuart) and Doris Grimm and their 7 children: Sterling, Susie, Sherry, Debbie, Dorinda, Doug, and Dana, second cousin Calvin Frost.

Celebrating the Life of Jim will be March 8 1:00 at the American Legion on Kent Island. Funeral services will be graveside on March 24 11:00 at Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster, PA followed by a celebration of life luncheon.

Please confirm attendance to each Celebration of Life luncheon with Janice or Jodie (jodiegray450@gmail.com) and for questions about sending flowers or condolence items.

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