John F. Monitz a PGA Professional for 51 years died at his home on February 15, 2011 in Novi, Michigan at the age of 74.  John was born in Ecorse, Michigan and graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in 1954.  His golf career included many area golf courses beginning at Grosse Isle C. C. also Tam O'Shanter, Lapeer C.C., Bay View C.C in Petoskey, Detroit Golf Club and retiring from Oakland Hills C.C. after 13 years.  While at Oakland Hills he was actively involved in prominent tournaments such as 1979 PGA Championship, 1985 U.S. Open and the 1991 U. S. Senior Open.

Some of his achievements included 5 Holes-in-one, numerous Eagles, and one Double Eagle.  John was also active in coordinating numerous charity tournaments for the Kidney Foundation.
In addition to golf, his other interests included hunting bird & wild game, fishing, reading, old movies and music, especially Classical and Opera.  He and wife Rose enjoyed extensive traveling throughout the U.S. and Caribbean.  They spent the winter months in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
John was a charter member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Novi.

John is survived by loving wife of 53 years, Rose (Gorgone) from Trenton, Michigan, three children and three grandchildren.  Karen and son Michael from Kalamazoo, Shelly from Commerce Twp., John and wife Jennifer and their children Jessica and Nicholas from Hartland.  Sister and brother-in-law Rosemary and Tom Moore of Kentucky.  Sister Annette Adams of Missouri, and Sister and brother-in-law Maryann and Dennis Woods from Flat Rock.  Sister-in-law Carolyn Monitz from Idaho.  He was preceded in death by parents Nick and Rosalie (Psujek) Monitz and Brothers Nick and Phillip.

Visitation Wednesday, February 23, 3-9pm with scripture service at 7pm at O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River, Novi (248) 348-1800.  Visitation at Holy Family Church, 24505 Meadowbrook, Novi, Thursday 10am with funeral liturgy at 10:30am.  Burial will take place at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimers Association www.alz.org or St. Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org