Thomas Mounkhall

Thomas Mounkhall, died on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the age of 80 in East Stroudsburg after a long battle with cancer. He was born on August 2, 1944 in The Bronx, New York. He was a devoted husband to Susan Mounkhall for 34 years. He was the first child of Henry and Catherine Mounkhall and father to Steve Mounkhall.

Tom attended Albertus Magnus high school in Bardonia, New York where he excelled in academics and athletics before graduating in 1962. He made the first team All County basketball team in his junior and senior years and led the county in scoring both years. Tom was elected into the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

He earned a full basketball scholarship from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in World History. He received his master’s degree from Fordham University and went on to receive his doctoral degree from St John’s University in Queens, NY.

Tom started his illustrious teaching and coaching career in 1968, first at Clarkstown High School and subsequently at Spring Valley High School where he was Teacher of the Year. He taught Social Studies and coached basketball and tennis during his time at Spring Valley. He was very influential in the classroom and touched the lives of many students who continued to reach out to him throughout their lives.

Tom’s greatest coaching impact was when he took a rookie Spring Valley tennis team and molded them into consistent winners. His coaching tenure ran from 1973 to 1996 where the team won more than a dozen league titles including seven straight from 1979 to 1985. Always dedicated to his students, he groomed more than 100 All-League doubles players and more than 30 students who went on to play in college.

After retiring from Spring Valley High School, Tom moved on to SUNY New Paltz where he was an adjunct professor. Of all the things Tom accomplished throughout his career, one of his most treasured moments was participating in Teachers Across Borders where he worked along with Sue training teachers in Cambodia to better the quality of education for their students.

Tom and Sue enjoyed a life of world travel together, exploring different cultures. For over twenty years, Oaxaca, Mexico became like a second home to them where they developed many friendships and where Tom delivered many programs at the English speaking library in the city. Included amongst Tom’s many writings, is an online book about Oaxaca.

Tom is survived by his wife, Susan, his children, Steve (Nicole), Jason, Gareth (Sandi), and Kara (Waldene), his grandchildren, Sebastian, Gabriel, and Talon, his siblings, Hank (Denise) and Kathy (Georges), as well as many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly. Tom was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Lilliana, and his parents, Henry and Catherine.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lilliana’s Helping Hands, (118 Elk Ln, Saylorsburg, PA) a cause very close to Tom’s heart.

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