- Date Of Birth: February 17, 1933
- Date Of Death: June 16, 2014
- State: Connecticut
Francis Xavier Monnes, 81, of Cromwell, beloved husband of Virginia (Kuempel) Monnes, passed away on Monday, June 16th. To quote Fran, “I am the luckiest man in the world. The Lord has been good to me and has always answered all my prayers.”
Fran was born into a large family of 7 children, the second youngest child of the late John J. Monnes, a 5-term Senator and very successful dairy farmer, and loving mother the late Elizabeth (Derenthal) Monnes. He was married for 54 years to a beautiful woman, Virginia, whom he loved with all of his heart. Fran had four children and 13 grandchildren that he cherished and was very proud of. He enjoyed working for 60 years on the last dairy farm in Cromwell with his two brothers, delivering dairy products throughout the region and serving his customers. Fran was a 2-term Board of Selectman and Deputy First Selectman for the town and people he loved so much. He was a graduate of Cromwell schools and Middletown High School, Central CT State University, and received a Masters and 6th year teaching degree from the University of Hartford.
Fran was captain of every baseball team he played on from Middletown High to CSCU to the Cromwell Rosebuds, the semi-professional team, and played for a total of 25 years in the Middlesex and Hartford Twilight Leagues.
Fran treasured being a Guidance Counselor and varsity baseball coach at Cromwell High School for 36 years.
He loved the kids and the job and wanted to give something back to this great game.
