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Ralph "Captain Monk" Bede Daniel
Born: 10/14/1958
Died: 1/11/2025
Age: 66
Community: Flushing, MI
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Ralph Bede Daniel "Captain Monk"
October 14, 1958 – January 11, 2025
Ralph Bede Daniel, lovingly known as "Monk," was a man whose presence was larger than life itself. Born in Houston, Texas, on October 14, 1958 to Clarence and Grace (Hillegeist) Daniel, Monk spent his early years working for an electrical company in Texas and teaching scuba diving at Texas A&M University. His passion for the ocean led him to open his own dive shop, Sea-U-Underwater, before embarking on a life of extraordinary adventures.
Monk’s call to the sea led him to become a charter boat captain, navigating the oceans and sharing his love of the water with the world. It was on one such voyage in Hawaii that he met Kathryn “Kat” Kordyzon, the love of his life. Monk traded his cowboy boots for snow boots and followed Kat to Michigan, where they were married on May 30, 2003, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Monk later became a parishioner at St. Robert Catholic Church with his family.
Monk and Kat built a beautiful life centered on family and their shared passion for the ocean. They founded SeaTrek BVI, a summer camp at sea. At SeaTrek, Monk was a leader, mentor, and father figure to countless young people. His joy for life and dedication to his campers and family left an indelible mark on everyone he met.
Although we do not have enough room on this page to fully capture the legend of Monk, he taught us many valuable lessons that we will always carry with us. He taught us about hard work and the value of small, quiet acts of kindness. He taught us about “Monk time”, which means that if you are not early, you are late. He taught us to make time for laughter. For example, after telling his crew that there was no time for “grab ass and wiffle ball,” he would be the first one to be “pulling pud.” He also reinforced that no mistake was beyond redemption, and that a stern glance and a swift hug are sometimes the only guidance we need. Monk taught us what it meant to be a provider and a protector. Finally, he taught us to be unapologetically ourselves and to surround ourselves with others who value authenticity.
Monk’s generosity and passion for life were outdone only by his devotion to his family. He was fiercely proud of his children, Micah, Kaleb, and Gloria, and those he adopted through SeaTrek. They are his greatest legacy, and his memory and love will guide them the rest of their days.
Monk is survived by his beloved wife, Kat; his children, Micah, Kaleb, and Gloria; his brother, Arthur (Janet) Daniel; his brother-in-law, Kristopher (Amy) Kordyzon; his nieces and nephews, Amanda (Ty) Gilbert, Melissa (Benjamin) Higginbotham, Matthew Daniel, Aidan, Lily, and Lucy Kordyzon; and his mother-in-law, Gloria Zubek. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Grace; his sisters, Arlene Adams and Susan Daniel; and his father-in-law, Chuck Zubek.
Monk cherished time spent with his family at their cabin in Tawas and with his SeaTrek family, through which he demonstrated his commitment to adventure, love, and devotion. Though he left us too soon—with his watch always set to “Monk time”—his legacy will endure in the stories, laughter, and lives of those who loved him.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Brian Lenz at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at St. Robert Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the Mass. Visitation will take place at Rossell Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m., Friday from 12-8 p.m., and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the Mass at 11 a.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an educational fund for his children.
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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1/16/2025 |
| Time: |
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4:00 PM |
| Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025 and 12-8 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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1/18/2025 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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St. Robert Catholic Church
310 N. Cherry Street
Flushing, MI 48433Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Fr. Brian Lenz |
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