this man needs no introduction.
however, i will share several stories and memories that have been forever engraved into Cleveland folklore. without further adieu, i begin.
i probably should first explain this picture. for the past several years, John Monahan has been recognized as both a steadfast (official and unofficial) support for the Cleveland JVs. Like other former Jesuit Volunteers, he appreciates gifts. on this particular evening in our storied JVC kitchen, i was sharing some gifts and treats of my own that my family had mailed to me. one item in particular was a LARGE, Vermont-made maple sugar candy shaped like a maple leaf. i decided that it would be fun to challenge my pal to consume the entire candy in one bite. he agreed. almost immediately, he began coughing and gasping for air. he appeared to be choking! thankfully, one of my roommates came to the rescue by providing him with a glass of water. somehow we were able to capture this shot on camera and have ceased to let him forget :)
(i'm just realizing that most pictures of John Monahan need some sort of explanation)
3. John and i have always played catch (usually in the middle of Church Avenue). On one particular summer afternoon, our young neighbor, Jackson, was hanging out with us and riding his bike. i was clearly distracted by Jackson, because the next thing i knew i had a BIG welt above my right eye socket. John admittedly did not look before he threw the baseball. He made it up to me ten fold.
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i probably should first explain this picture. for the past several years, John Monahan has been recognized as both a steadfast (official and unofficial) support for the Cleveland JVs. Like other former Jesuit Volunteers, he appreciates gifts. on this particular evening in our storied JVC kitchen, i was sharing some gifts and treats of my own that my family had mailed to me. one item in particular was a LARGE, Vermont-made maple sugar candy shaped like a maple leaf. i decided that it would be fun to challenge my pal to consume the entire candy in one bite. he agreed. almost immediately, he began coughing and gasping for air. he appeared to be choking! thankfully, one of my roommates came to the rescue by providing him with a glass of water. somehow we were able to capture this shot on camera and have ceased to let him forget :)
[outstanding memories of Monahan:]
1. The morning when he graciously offered to drive me to work and his former green Toyota took a nose dive into a deep pot hole (that was covered with snow) in the parking lot across from the JVC house. he had to borrow Bill Merriman's shovel to pry himself free. he asked me to hit the gas several times, but in doing so, thick sludge dirtied his work slacks. we eventually did manage to get his car out of that hole.
2. Who picks you up from the Amtrak station at 3:30am in the morning and also offers you a place to sleep? He did.
3. John and i have always played catch (usually in the middle of Church Avenue). On one particular summer afternoon, our young neighbor, Jackson, was hanging out with us and riding his bike. i was clearly distracted by Jackson, because the next thing i knew i had a BIG welt above my right eye socket. John admittedly did not look before he threw the baseball. He made it up to me ten fold.
4. Watching episodes of The Office with John and making twss comments.
5. Artichoke Heart dish (enough said :)
For these memories,
thank you,
thank you,
John.
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