William Monsees

William Allan Monsees, age 97, of Pompton Plains and a former longtime resident of Totowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 21, 2024. His loving family was present at the time of his passing. 

The son of William Charles and Christine (Baumann) Monsees, Bill was born in Hoboken and raised in Union City, NJ where he was a 1944 graduate of Union Hill High School. 

After high school, Bill enlisted into the United States Navy at 17 where he proudly served his country during World War II aboard the destroyer, USS Gyatt. After his Navy service, Bill returned to his hometown of Union City and enrolled in the Newark College of Engineering where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later earned his master’s degree in electrical engineering, taking evening classes at Stevens Institute of Technology. 

Bill launched his engineering career with Sperry Gyroscope in Long Island. He then enjoyed a fulfilling thirty-eight-year career as an Electronic Systems Engineer with ITT Avionics in Nutley until retiring in 1989. His work included design of complex defensive electronics for submarines and military helicopters.

Bill enjoyed a loving and tender marriage of 74 years with his beloved wife Dolores (Smith) Monsees. Having attended high school and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Union City together, Bill and Dolores met and started dating in their mid-teens. They married on July 16, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran Church and, following their honeymoon, they settled into their first home on Stewart Terrace in Totowa. They raised their two sons and one daughter there and remained in that house for nearly 70 years before moving to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains in 2019.

Following retirement, Bill and Dolores enjoyed extensive travel time together and with friends. In addition to adventures throughout most of the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii, and numerous cruises, they enjoyed trips to Israel, Germany, Jamaica, and England and a two-week vacation in 2007 with all their children and their families to Ireland, England and Scotland. During football season, Bill was all in on his beloved Giants. A season ticket holder since the team started playing home games in NJ in 1976, Bill and Dolores attended the first Giants Super Bowl win with friends in the Rose Bowl in 1987.  Staying true in later years, whether with exciting wins or crushing losses, through good times and tough times, Big Blue could always count on Bill’s loyal following which he shared with his children and grandchildren. The season tickets are still in the family.

Since 1966, Bill and Dolores have been members of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Wayne. Bill served as head usher for many years and he and Dolores were active volunteers in many aspects of life at St. Timothy.

Bill was the beloved husband of Dolores; loving father of William D. Monsees and wife Kelli of Ft. Myers, Florida, Paul R. Monsees and wife Cathy of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Catherine D. Davidson and husband Robert of Towaco; cherished grandfather of Christopher who predeceased him in 2002, Lori, Kassie and husband James, Dana, Clayton, Kyle and wife Avery, and Devan and husband Gavin; and great-grandfather of Daniel and Emery.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in William’s name are asked to consider St. Timothy Lutheran Church.