Samuel Monita

Husband, Father, Grandfather “Papa”, Uncle and Friend

It is with great sadness that we inform you Samuel “Papa” Monita, age 82, passed away peacefully at home, in the early morning hours, on April 16th, 2025.

Sam was born on November 2nd, 1942, in Chicago, IL, to Lucinda Monita. He was a proud resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, where he resided his entire life.

Sam was a 1963 graduate of Monroe High School. While attending Monroe, Sam played football and hockey. Hockey became his passion and focused on that sport during his high school years. In 1962, Sam’s Jr. year of high school he and his fellow teammates lead the Monroe Hockey Team to State. His love of hockey trickled down to his 6 children and 8 grandchildren. Each winter, weather permitting, you could bet that Sam had a small rink built in either the front or back yard of his home so his kids could skate. Sam’s other passion was playing and coaching softball. Every spring and summer, you could find him at the ballfield where he would spend the entire weekend with family and friends. He took pride in recruiting top female ball players that went to National Tournaments multiple years.

Sam worked in a few different trades over the years; he worked for Midwest Plastics, he owned and tended bars, and he also worked for Hanson Construction, a job where he ended up retiring from.

In 2006, Sam was diagnosed with cancer. Sam fought hard for 18 years, before he and his body said enough. Sam was preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Christine Flaherty; his brothers, John and Bobby; and his mother, Lucy. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 34 years and caregiver, Sandy; his children, Lisa (Derek) Burger of San Diego, Richard Monita of Inver Grove Heights, Angela (Mike) Hauer of Woodbury, Kelli Flaherty and Michael Flaherty (Jamie) both of St. Paul. Sam, known as Papa, is also survived by 8 grandchildren who he loved dearly, Taylor, Halle, Kourtney, Micheal, Isaiah, Romie, Lauryn and Cobe. Sam is also survived by his siblings, Alfonso, Vera, Loretta, Steven, Cindy, Sally and Pete, their spouses and children, countless cousins and the many loving and caring friends he had.

The family would like to thank those providers who cared for Sam over the years, and those who especially took on his battle with him the past 2 years. His care team at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota Oncology in Maplewood, and especially Sam’s girls at United’s Infusion Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, starting at 4:00 pm at Joseph’s Bar and Grill at 140 Wabasha Street South, Saint Paul. Burial with his beloved daughter Christine will be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

God saw that he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so He put His arm around him and whispered Come with Me. With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.