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 756^th 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 20^th, 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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