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The Plain Dealer | Monday, April 8, 2002
RICHARD M. PERRY
Plain Dealer Reporter
MACEDONIA - Joseph C. Monastra, 74, a defense
industry engineer who held top level positions
at TRW Inc., Argo Tech Corp. and Technautics Corp.,
died Thursday at his Macedonia home. In the 1980s,
Monastra headed the Sidewinder Warhead Program
for TRW and helped the company obtain the contract
for the torpedo propulsion system. He was vice
president of ArgoTech's ordnance system division
from 1986 to 1991, and was responsible for marketing
and new business development at Marine Mechanical
Corp., later Technautics Corp.After he retired
in 1993, he worked as a consultant.
Monastra was born in Cleveland. He graduated from
East Technical High School and from Fenn College,
now Cleveland State University. He began working
at Thompson Aircraft Products in 1952, investigating
fuel pump failures and conducting test programs.
After the company became TRW, he helped develop
and test booster nozzles for rockets. Monastra
served in England on special assignment for the
Army from 1954 to 1956. He later was an engineering
instructor in the Washington area. He was a member
of the Navy League of the United States and served
on the steering committee of the underwater missile
section of the American Defense Preparedness Association.
He married Grace Maureen Sicurezza 42 years ago.
In addition to his wife, Monastra is survived
by daughters, Grace Marie Saunders and Monica
Lodge, both of Hudson, Antoinette Engelke of Phoenix,
and Pamela Swanson of Atlanta; and seven grandchildren. |
Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that we are writing you, our beloved husband
and father Joseph C. Monastra passed away on April 4, 2002. Joseph passed
away only four short weeks after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.
According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), no effective
early detection methods have been developed, there are minimal treatment
options available and very little research is presently under way due
to limited research funding.
In honor of Joseph's memory, we have established the "Joseph C. Monastra
Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research" at Johns Hopkins University, in
Baltimore. We are asking that you please help us make a difference for
pancreatic cancer research and raise awareness for the need for increased
research funding at our first fundraiser, a 5K race, in Hudson, Ohio
on Saturday September 21st of 2002. We have partnered up with Johns Hopkins
and a group of scientists in the pathology department who are working
specifically on pancreatic cancer research. By establishing this fund
in Joseph's name, we have the privilege of earmarking the funds.
Pancreatic Cancer has gone too long with out
a voice. It is a disease that most call, "The
Silent Killer." Many other forms of cancer have
made enormous strides, in reducing their mortality
rate, through research and the development of
early detection and prevention methods. The need
for advocacy is crucial in helping make a difference
for pancreatic cancer and the tens of thousands
of people diagnosed each year (approx. 30,000
this year). Our family's hope is that through
our voice and the voice of many we can raise awareness
for the need to increase the allocation for research
dollars to pancreatic cancer research.
Joseph dedicated his life and career to his family,
friends and to the United States Defense Industry.
We've attached a biography that was printed in
his dedication. In honor of his memory and legacy
to his family, friends, and country we felt it
imperative to personally make it our mission to
fight this disease that robbed his family and
friends of a hero, a friend, a father and a husband.
Please help us make a difference for Pancreatic
Cancer Research. Your contributions, in any form,
are appreciated with our heartfelt gratitude.
Sincerely,
The Monastra Family
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