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Obituary: Gilbert J. Monnat, 97, Croghan
Published: November 18, 2025
By: Provided by Scanlon Funeral Home
Gilbert J. Monnat
 CROGHAN, NY- Gilbert J.
Monnat, 97, of Convent St., Croghan, died peacefully on his birthday,
surrounded by 34 members of his loving family at Lewis County General
Hospital, Lowville, where he had been admitted on Friday.
Born November 16,
1928 in Croghan, NY, a son of William H. and Anna
(Fetterly) Monnat, he graduated from Fr. Leo
Memorial School in Croghan in 1947.
Following high
school, he worked at the NL Lhullier Mobil Station
in Croghan until he became the first Lewis County resident to be drafted
for Korean Conflict duty, after which, he entered the US Army in November, 1950, and was
attached to the 756th Railway Shop Battalion. He served at Ft.
Devins, MA, Ft. Eustis, VA and Ft. Meade, MD during the Korean War before
being honorably discharged in December, 1952. For
6 months after returning from military service, he worked at Croghan Motor
Sales, until June, 1953, when he went into
partnership with Howard Nortz to form the Monnat & Nortz Service
Station in Croghan.
He married Dolores
Ann “Laurie” Hirsch on June 2, 1956 at St.
Stephen’s Church in Croghan. Mrs. Monnat died on March 3, 2018.
Gil will forever
be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and wonderful
friend to so many throughout the community, especially during his 45 years
of faithful service at Monnat & Nortz, and well after his retirement in
1998. Throughout the years, he enjoyed woodworking and always spending time
with family and friends.
Gil was a
lifelong communicant and member of St. Stephen’s Church and its Parish
Council in Croghan, a former President of Fr. Leo Memorial School Board,
and a 76 year member of the Croghan Knights of
Columbus. He was also a former President of Steepleview
Courts in Croghan, and past President of the Croghan Recreation Committee
that was responsible for the Croghan Pool. He was a 60+ year active member,
and a current honorary member of the Croghan Volunteer Fire Department
since 1948, where he served as its Chief for 12 years, Treasurer, ambulance
call responder, recipient of its Fireman of the Year award, and was a
member of its Executive Board. Additionally, he was a proud member of the
Beaver River Memorial Post 1663 American Legion in Croghan, a member of the
Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and former recipient of its Businessman of
the Year Award, had been honored by the Croghan Lions as a recipient of the
Jim Scanlon Good Citizenship Award, received the Lewis County Office of the
Aging Senior Citizen of the Year Award, and was a recipient of the
Pratt-Northam Foundation Don Exford Community Service Award.
Surviving are his
six children, William E. Monnat, Stephen G. (Jane) Monnat, Peter J.
(Melody) Monnat, Gilbert J. (Gretchen) Monnat, Susan E. (Brad) Gydesen, and
Nancy C. (Rod) Widrick, all of Croghan; ten grandchildren and eleven
great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Cheryl Steiner, of Clinton, and
Connie Hirsch, of Lowville, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to
his loving wife, “Laurie”, of almost 62 years, he was predeceased by his
son, Anthony, who died in March, 1977, his
brother, Norbert, who died in infancy, and his sister, Mary K. Gardener.
Gil’s funeral
services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, beginning with a 10:15
a.m. Prayer Service at Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan, followed by his Mass
of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. from St. Stephen’s Church, Croghan, with
the Rev. Donald J. Manfred, Pastor, officiating. Burial with military
honors will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Croghan.
Calling hours
will be on Thursday, November 20th, from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral
home.
In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Stephen’s Church Restoration
Fund or to the Croghan VFD.
Condolences at www.scanlonfuneral.com
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