Obituary of Atty. Thomas John Monks

Servant of God, Thomas John Monks, age 59, beloved husband of Susan Stuban Monks of Trumbull, entered peacefully into eternal rest at his home on July 3, 2020. Thomas’ unexpectant death occurred on the feast of St. Thomas the apostle and on a First Friday. He received the Latin prayers of the departed from Father Brian Gannon and Canon Andrew Todd. Born in Bridgeport on December 15, 1960, he was the son of Grace Tvardzik Monks of Easton and the late Thomas David Monks. Thomas was raised in Bridgeport, attended St. Emery Catholic School and was a 1978 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Fairfield. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1982 with a BS in Accounting. He later pursued his Juris Doctorate and a LLM in Taxation at the University of Bridgeport in 1989, where he met his wife Susan, the love of his life. First and foremost, Thomas put God first, close behind were family, friends, and country. His relationship with Christ allowed him to touch to lives of family, friends, and students alike. He began his legal career as a tax attorney at Deloitte and Touche, Stamford. After years of practicing various forms of law, he accepted a position as a professor at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) in early 2002. Professor Monks was the current chair of the accounting department for several years. He was appointed a Magistrate in Fairfield and New Haven Counties in 2011, presiding over small claims and motor vehicle trials. A devout Catholic, Thomas was a parishioner of St. Theresa Church, Trumbull, St. Peter and St. Paul Greek Byzantine Catholic Church, Ansonia and St. Cyril and St. Methodius Church, Bridgeport. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, Council 8013, St. Theresa’s Parish in Trumbull and actively and lovingly belonged to the Sons of St. Joseph Catholic Men’s Group. He led a prayer ministry at the Bridgeport Correctional Facility. One of the last and proud accomplishments was his spiritual consecration to St. Joseph and with his sons, brother, and son in law. Post 9/11, Tom joined the Trumbull Fire Department to make a contribution to his community. He came onboard at Station 1 Long Hill in 2002. Tom also joined the Board of Directors, and served as secretary for many years. Recently, he took command as a Fire District Commissioner. Thomas’ greatest accomplishment in life was his unfathomable devotion to God. He loved America, his family, and was unquestionably blessed from heaven. In addition to his wife Susan of nearly 30 years, he is survived by his cherished children, Lydia (LT John, USCG) De Castra of NJ, Paul, Bridget, Patrick and Peter Monks, all of Trumbull; brothers, John (Patricia) Monks, of Terryville and Darrell Monks of Bridgeport; adoring grandchildren, Augustus Pio and Mary Claire DeCastra of NJ; his mother-in-law, Helen Stuban of Seymour; brother-in-law, Lt.Col (Dr.) Steven Stuban of Fairfax, VA and sister-in-law, Lydia (Chris) Antoniou of Potomac, MD; nieces Christine and Suzanne Antoniou of Potomac, MD and Kimberly and Katherine Monks of Terryville. In addition to his father, Thomas David, he was predeceased by a brother, Jeffrey Monks; Father-in-law, Frank Stuban; sister-in-law, Lt.Col Sandra Lesher Stuban and nephew, Nicholas Stuban. A Requiem High Mass, meeting directly at church, will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Oratory, 79 Church St. Bridgeport, CT. Interment will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Derby. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia. Please be advised that all protocol, screening and social restrictions of the Covid-19 Pandemic will be exercised. Memorial contributions may be made payable to the Monks Family Trust, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.