Clare James Monson

C. J. “Bud” Monson was born on October 21, 1927 in Lemmon, South Dakota to Clarence and Edna Monson. He was the second born (the oldest son) of twelve children. His family came to California when he was thirteen years old. They settled in Pasadena. He started in the Construction Industry in Southern California as an Apprentice Cement Mason in 1944, then joined the Navy returning to Pasadena in 1946. He came back and advanced to Journeyman, Foreman, Superintendent, Construction Manager and then became a Construction Manager/Partner for Industrial Concrete, Inc. He was a strong man of labor. He worked hard in his early years representing and negotiating for his brotherhood, advancing working conditions and wages. In 1971 he became Financial Secretary of then Cement Masons Local #923 in Pasadena. He served for many years as the Financial Secretary of the Cement Masons Southern California Negotiating Committee, and Southern District Council of the O.P.C.M.I.A. He was a Director of the I.F.E.B.P. and sat for many years on the Executive Board of the Los Angeles County Building & Construction Trades. In his second career in the Employee Benefit Field, he became the Senior Vice President of ABPA, Inc., overseeing 19 offices throughout the country – representing over 200 Trust Funds, mostly in the Construction Industry. Bud never let an opportunity slip by to give encouragement to those who worked with him. He believed if you gave your job your all, you should be rewarded and appreciated. He did that for so many people he worked with. He believed in equal rights in the work place and advanced many women to positions which had never before been held by a female in his industry. Bud met Peggy (his future wife) after he returned from the Navy. She was working at Curry’s Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena. He went in to have a malt and obviously liked the way she served it, and in March of 1948 they were married. They had two daughters, Cheryle Ann and Mary Clare. Bud was a lover of many things; good music (especially a good old country tune); ANY and ALL Sports, but especially Football; Vodka Rocks; playing the devil’s advocate; a good limerick, old cowboy movies, ice cream (the very last thing he had to eat) and, - his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren; his good friends; and of course, the great love of his life, Peggy. He is survived by his two daughters, Cheryle Ann Robbins (Larry Samp) of Arcadia and Mary Clare Betzler (Greg) of Arcadia, Grandchildren, Todd Michael Robbins of Arcadia, Matthew James Robbins (Nicole) of La Verne; Lisa Marie Nashed (Mark) of Huntington Beach, Michelle Annjeanette Betzler of Arcadia, Amy Katherine Hynes (George) of Sierra Madre and Luke Gregory Betzler of Newport Beach. Great Grandchildren – Gregory Mark Nashed, Alexandra Marie Nashed, Charles Thomas Hynes, Emma Marie Robbins, Maxwell James Nashed, Christopher James (C J) Robbins, Evan Michael Robbins, and Joseph George Hynes. He also leaves behind his surviving brother, Jack Monson (Judy) of Cayucos, his three sisters, Judy Pizzietello (Don) of Texas, Joan Shaw (Ted) of South Pasadena, and Donna Pett (Dave) of Altadena, and sister in law LaVada Allshouse of Lake Havasu, Arizona – and many nieces and nephews, too many to name, and his dear friends, Stan Schultz, Louie Zucco and Phil Vaca. Bud was a proud and strong man, with a heart as big as Texas. He died like he lived, in control of his surroundings and everyone around him. He set a high standard for loving, living and having a good time for his whole family. He was the best Daddy two little girls could ever have wished for. Friends may call on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 6:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm both at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:00 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.