For Immediate Release July 24, 2003 Contact: Kenneth Johnson Chief Development Officer 312-385-2040 kjohnson@adasmckinley.org “Gentle Giant Who Helped Persons with Disabilities Become Self-Reliant, Dies   Timothy “Tim” Monahan, the towering 6’5” baritone who headed the Residential Services Division at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., has died.  He was 56 years old.   Mr. Monahan, described by his family, friends and colleagues as a soft-spoken “gentle giant,” died in a car accident in Wisconsin a week ago while vacationing with his wife, Kathleen.   He began his career 15 years ago as division director of the Residential Services Division and was responsible for securing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build group homes for the developmentally disabled, located on the South and West Sides.  He developed programs for residents to help them become self-reliant and encouraged them to become involved in their communities. He also started an annual dinner dance where residents dress in formal attire and put on a talent show.    “Tim provided excellent leadership and vision for what was to be an unprecedented period of growth and expansion for the Residential Services Division,” said Ada S. McKinley executive director George Jones Jr.  “He watched the division grow from five residential facilities for persons with disabilities to 12, recently closing a deal for the construction of two new residences.  Eleven of the homes are located in the Englewood, South Chicago, Gap, South Chatham, Grand Boulevard, and South Pullman communities.”   Mr. Monahan graduated from DePaul University and earned his master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University.  Previous positions included director at the Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens, the Jacksonville Area Association for Retarded Citizens in Jacksonville and Hope School in Springfield.   Holding many fond memories, his colleagues describe a man with a generous spirit and an intense love for his family and the clients.     “When Tim came to the agency he had one rule,” said Linda Darling, Ada S. McKinley habilitation services director and close friend. “He was not to be disturbed during his lunch hour while he read three newspapers and did a crossword puzzle daily.”    His hobbies included fishing, gardening, listening to classical music, cooking for his family and friends, and traveling.  Mr. Monahan often entertained others with anecdotes of his family, especially the birth of his first grandchild, Kevin.   “My father believed that everyone deserved the right to live with dignity and respect,” said son Sean, “He lived his life making sure that persons with disabilities receive the same rights as everyone else.”   In addition to his wife and son, survivors include three other sons, Timothy, Daniel and Ryan; a daughter, Megan; a brother, Thomas; a sister, Margaret Fessler; and a grandson. #  #  # Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. contact:   Valerie P. Avery     Public Relations Specialist     (312) 385-2040/work     (773) 568-6773/home                                                                                           Family Contact:   Kathleen Monahan                              (708) 848-1760       A TRIBUTE TO TIM MONAHAN   D  R  A  F  T         Remarks for George Jones Jr.   It is very painful for me to stand before you today, on behalf of the Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. family, to pay a final tribute and, sadly, to say good-bye to Tim Monahan, one of our own, one who – in our own minds – was taken away far too soon and in the prime of a  life dedicated to service and characterized by kindness to others.   Our hearts and our love go out to you, Kathy, and to all the members of  your family.  Through Tim’s anecdotes and stories, we have followed the growth and achievement of your children and the arrival of your grand children.  Tim was so proud of all of you.  We want you to know that we stand with you during your time of loss and – as much as it is possible to do so – we share that sense of loss.   When you are blessed, as we have been, to have an individual such as Tim Monahan involved in our lives,  there is little that we can do when he suddenly leaves, except to thank God for the time he spent with us and somehow to accept the inscrutable ways of life and all its mysteries.   At times like these, we respond in the only way that we can: we draw closer to one another, we search our individual and collective memories, and we celebrate the essence of life.    And thus it is today that we celebrate the life of Tim Monahan, one of our most treasured colleagues, one of our most effective administrators, and one of our most loyal friends.    Tim’s life was one which touched many others: those on our board, those among our staff, and especially the lives of our clients, whom Tim loved.   For 15 years, Tim served as Division Director of Residential Services.   During that period, he provided excellent leadership and singular vision for an unprecedented period of growth and expansion -- as the residential services division grew from five intermediate care facilities to more than 12 facilities today.   Under Tim’s direction, the agency saw the construction of seven Community Integrated Living Arrangements, including a record three 8 bed facilities in 1997 alone.    Those of us who knew and were privileged to work with Tim, knew that he was a self-starter who could always be counted on to set and achieve his professional goals while never straying from the larger context of the agency’s mission.   Tim was many things to many people, but to all of us he was soft-spoken, prompt, extremely responsive, always available, thorough, and totally unselfish.   He motivated others in the best possible way, through his own unique example.   Tim will be truly missed throughout McKinley.  It will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace him.  But Tim, himself, would be the first to want us to lift up the work to which he dedicated his life, and to continue to move forward in the service of our clients and our communities.   I leave you with these words of comfort from Psalm One, which remind me of the lasting contribution that Tim Monahan has made – both on our lives and on the lives of countless others.   “Blessed is the man that walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.: : But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.: : And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season;  his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.”:”           Thank you.