Obituary of Robert Irving Monks

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, ROBERT “Bob” IRVING MONKS, born January 29,1934, passed away on January 22,2024, 7 days shy of his 90^th birthday at Newfield House in Plymouth, Mass. He had been living at home in Pembroke, Mass. until recently.

He was born in Quincy, Mass. to George and Inez Monks, living his childhood years in Weymouth, Mass. He spent his summers at the family cottage on Widgeon Pond in Myles Standish Forest. He graduated from Thayer Academy. He was employed by New England Tel and Tel/NYNEX, from which he retired in 1995.

He raised his children in Rockland, Mass, then lived in Kingston, Mass., Woolwich, Maine and returned to live in Pembroke, Mass. 

Bob was happiest when enjoying and sharing his love of the outdoors and especially the ocean. Spending his time sailing/boating on Duxbury/Plymouth Bay, lobstering off The Gurnet, fishing for stripers in Duxbury or on the Kennebec River in Maine and hunting and fishing in Myles Standish Forest.

He filled his creative spirit by sketching, carving and painting the scenes around him that he loved. The birds that he observed at the feeders he kept at home or at the ocean as well as the landscapes of Duxbury/Plymouth Bay. We cherish our collection of paintings and carvings he gave to us as Christmas gifts each year.

He and his wife, Betty, enjoyed their travels especially when spending winters in Florida where they visited their close friends, Phil and Shirley Stella of Cape Coral, Florida. It was the Stella’s who introduced Bob and Betty, who had their first date in Bob’s Willys Jeep at the 4^th of July fireworks/carnival in Plymouth, Mass.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (Newson) ; his son, Stephen (Nancy) of Halifax, Mass.; his daughters,  Merrilee Monks-Paine (Lewis) of Auburn, Maine; Kathryn Botto(Robert) of Halifax, Mass., Allyson Foley (Brian) of Kingston: His 8 grandchildren: Ryan Botto (Jill) and Brianne Krueger (Frank) of Halifax, Mass., Christie DiCarlo (Anthony) of South Easton, Mass., Tyler Monks(Charlotte) of Halifax, Mass., Chelsey Monks of Middleboro, Mass., Marella Paine of Auburn, Maine, Carissa Ryan (Joe) of Rochester NH, Erin Foley(Kathryn Kelley) of Kingston, Mass. And his 9 great-grandchildren; Owen Monks, Maylee Paine- Robinson, Monet Robinson, Riley Botto, Thatcher Krueger, Whitney Krueger, Charlotte Ryan, Edie Foley and Felix Foley.  

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Home Instead and Newfield House for their compassionate care and assistance.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Project Gurnet and Bug Lights Inc., P. O. Box 2167, Duxbury, Mass. 02331-2167.                                                                                                                                              

A private Celebration of Life Ceremony is planned for Sunday, February 4^th from 1PM to 4 PM at Shepherd Funeral Home in Kingston, Mass.