John Monical

John Hamilton Monical, 72, Pequot Lakes, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, after a long battle with throat cancer.

John was born April 21, 1940, in Howard Lake to his parents, Halstead and Marion (Quackenbush) Monical. He graduated in 1958 from New York Mills High School, where he competed in football, basketball, baseball and track. He graduated from Hamline University in 1963 with a bachelor of arts degree in math and a minor in social studies. He married his wife, Delores Braun, on Sept. 14, 1963.

John was a longtime mathematics teacher, coach and athletic director at Pequot Lakes High School. He taught and coached at Pequot Lakes High School for 34 years from 1963 to 1997. He was involved in nearly every sport but wrestling during that time, including boys' track for 31 seasons. He began his coaching career at Pequot with junior high football and basketball in 1965. He coached track from 1967 to 1997 and served as athletic director from 1968 to 1990. He served as varsity basketball coach in 1967-68 and 1972-73. He coached junior high basketball in 1981-82 and 1991-92. He was the head football coach in 1977 and served as assistant football coach in 1969 and 1977. John was recognized as Park Region Conference Track Coach of the Year several years. In 1994 John was honored as the fifth inductee into the Pequot Lakes High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

John enjoyed playing golf and watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Dee; daughters, Dr. Cheryl (Max Burrus) Monical, Oxford, N.C., and Suzanne Monical, Maple Grove; son, James Monical, Maple Grove; sister, Carol Hull, Auburndale, Fla.; brother, Jim Monical, Plymouth; and three grandchildren, Abagail and Clayton "C.J." Burrus and Remy Monical.

His parents died earlier.

A celebration of John's life will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Sunday, October 14, at Kline Funeral Home in Pequot Lakes.

Memorials are preferred to Heartland Hospice, 333 N. Summit St., P.O. Box 10086, Toledo, OH 43699-0086.

John's family is grateful for all the support they've received from friends, family, the community and Heartland Hospice during John's illness.