The Life of Paul Anthony Monju Sr.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church for Paul A. Monju, Sr., 88, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at his daughter''s residence in Lafayette surrounded in love and prayers by his family and caregivers.
Interment will be in Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery.
Reverend Michael Russo, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Tish Capretz, Bryce Aniksdal and David Monju, Sr. Giftbearers will be Jessica Tavernit, Nicolette Moore and Karmel Garcia.
Survivors include eight children: Mary Joyce Monju (formerly Guillot), Madeleine Monju Williamson and her husband Douglas, Paul Monju, Jr. and his wife, Cheryll Wood, Robert Monju and his wife Glenda Jeansonne, Teresa Monju Syversen and her husband Leif I, David Monju, Sr. and his wife Liz Ducote, Michael Monju and his wife Maryhelen Zendejas and Carmel Monju (formerly Sonnier); twenty-four grandchildren: Jeffrey Guillot, Jessica Tavernit, Jacob Williamson, Christopher Monju, Angelique Meyer, Jarred Monju, Nicolette Moore, Matthew Monju, Gabrielle Monju, Nathaniel Monju, Kirsten O''Leary, Dagny Syversen, Leif Syversen II, Karmel Garcia, Gunnar Syversen, Mimi Syversen, Nicholas Syversen, Evann Monju, David Monju, Jr., Macy Monju, Jeremy Sonnier, Tyler Sonnier, Grant Sonnier and Kelsey Sonnier; and seventeen great grandchildren: Jaylynn Guillot, Bryce Aniksdal, Sven Aniksdal, Ryan Tavernit, Ava Williamson, Ana Williamson, Cole Williamson, Sebastien Meyer, Elias Meyer, Samuel Meyer, Eden Meyer, Hannah Meyer, Eva Meyer, Aden Moore, Joel Moore, Emma Syversen and Conley Sonnier; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Joyce Marie Battistella Monju; his parents, Joseph and Madeleine Monju; two sisters, Yvonne Cullen and Madeleine Seiler; one brother, Joseph J. Monju; and one great granddaughter, Mira Joy O''Leary.
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana and resident of Lafayette for most of his life, Mr. Monju was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor to all who knew and loved him. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 15, 1942 and proudly served his country in the Pacific theater of WWII in campaigns in the Aleutians, Eastern Mandates, South Philippine Islands and Ryukyu. Shortly after his honorable discharge from the Army on October 2, 1945, he enrolled at Loyola University in New Orleans and was a 1950 graduate of Loyola University Law School. He moved to Lafayette in 1954 and started his own business in the oil and gas industry which is currently known as Paul Monju and Associates, Inc. Mr. Monju was an avid reader, loved history, enjoyed working crossword puzzles but his main hobby was loving and caring for his family. He was a self-proclaimed "athlete" and local food critic. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Pallbearers will be Jay Lee Guillot, Jacob Williamson, Jarred Monju, Leif Syversen II, David Monju, Jr., and Tyler Michael Sonnier.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Chris Monju, Matthew Monju, Nathaniel Monju, Jeremy Sonnier, and Grant Sonnier.
The family would like to give special thanks to the following: Madeleine and Douglas Williamson for providing our father with a loving and comfortable environment for him to live and seeing to all of his needs; to the Griswold Special Care caregivers, or, as our father called them, “sweet givers”, especially, Kim Wright, Mary Woods and Connie Deshotel, for all of their love, support and undying devotion to our father. We would also like to thank the nurses and staff of Louisiana Home Care. Thanks to all for keeping our dad comfortable and happy.
Memorial donations made be made to Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, Alabama 35210 (205)795-5777 or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 (337)232-1234
A Rosary will be recited on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 6:30 PM in Martin & Castille''s DOWNTOWN location.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Friday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and will continue on Saturday from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311
