Joe Monaco Obituary

Joe Monaco

Resident of San Jose

Humanitarian

Former Safeway Executive dies

Born April 28, 1920 in Ohio, died November 26, 2010 in San Jose. Joe, the 7th of 8 children, grew up on the family farm in Pennsylvania with his hard working immigrant parents from Introdacqua, Italy. They taught Joe the value of helping those less fortunate, providing food for anyone in need.

Joe served in the U.S. Army Air Corps 79th Fighter Group in World War II from 1941 thru 1945 in the North African and European Campaigns. Upon his discharge, he attended the Robert Morris School of Business, earning his degree in accounting. He married his High School sweetheart in 1946 and was widowed in 1959 when Lavina died. They had two sons, Joseph (Sheryl) and Philip (Jeanie), and Philip's sons Andrew (Katie), Anthony and Jerome. Also great grandchildren Eugene Joseph and Justin Andrew.

In 1953, Joe joined the Safeway organization as an accountant at their Tuxedo Candy Plant, then became Plant manager in 1956, and rising through the ranks until retirement in 1985 as Financial Controller of the Bakery Division.

Joe has always been active in the Parish where the family resided. His sons attended St. Martin's School in San Jose where Joe served as Head Usher and Sexton. In 1962, Joe married Ann DeAngelis and the family moved to St. Christopher's Parish. Together, he and Ann raised their sons of whom they are very proud.

When the boys attended Bellarmine College Preparatory School, Joe was President of the Dad's Club in 1969. He became a member of the Catholic Social Services (Catholic Charities) board, which created the John XXIII Senior Center in downtown San Jose where Joe was elected President for the first 4 years, 1964-1968. In 1981, Joe and Ann joined the Italian American Foundation where he served on the Board for 4 years and remained an active member.

In 1984 Joe joined the Serra Club as their fund raiser and raised the most money ever for them. Also during 1984 Joe joined the Knights of Columbus Bishop O'Dowd Council and became a member of their 4th Degree Portola Assembly Color Corps. During his tenure as a Knight he received 18 Outstanding Awards thru 2006. Joe served as Grand Knight in 1996 and was still active.

From 1985 through 1996, he assisted Fr. William O'Connor at the Good Samaritan Hospital, distributing the Eucharist to patients 2 days a week. One month after his retirement from Safeway and with the assistance of Msgr Allen and Sister Dolores of St. Christopher's Parish, Joe began the Gleaners Group. This group of 100 volunteers picked up donations 6 days a week from 28 stores and delivered the food averaging 20 tons a week to 22 different facilities. For 30 years Joe sponsored a Sucker Booth at St. Christopher's Summer Festival, and was their usher for over 40 years. He was one of the Funeral Ministers from 1997 thru 2005. From 1986 thru 1991 Joe worked as the Notre Dame All Girl High School Golf Tournament Fund Raiser and surpassed all their previous records.

Joe has been recognized in several ways, appearing on Channel 11 and Evening Magazine. He received many awards: the San Francisco 49'er Community Volunteer Quarterback of the year 2004, the Pro Eccesia Et Pontifice Award for Special Service from Pope John Paul II in 2001, the First Nicholas Green Award in 1999, the "Giving Something Back" award in 1993, the St. Vincent de Paul Frederick Oznam Schroll award in 1965, the Volunteer of the Year Knights of Columbus State of California award in 2003, the Italian American Heritage Foundation Humanitarian of the year in 2005, and Outstanding Knight of Columbus Community Leader Gleaner for the Disadvantaged in 2005. Also in 2005 he received Martha's Kitchen Humanitarian Extraordinaire Award. In 2006 he received the Martha's Kitchen "Your Determination Made the Difference" award.

Joe had said that without the help and support of Ann and his family and God's blessings of good health, he could not have done what he did. His motto had always been "Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today".

Funeral arrangements: Visitation will be at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1576 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 on Thursday, December 9th from 4 PM until 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will follow immediately afterward. Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel at 710 Willow Street, San Jose CA 95125, ( 408-295-5160) is in charge of the arrangements. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday December 10th at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery after departing Lima's at 10:45 AM

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Joe's honor to Martha's Kitchen, 311 Willow Street, San Jose CA 95110 or to St. Christopher School Endowment Fund, 2278 Booksin Avenue, San Jose CA 95125.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Dec. 5, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Joe Monaco

15 Entries

Andrew Phillips

November 29, 2020

It's been ten years since we lost Joe and I haven't thought of him often enough. That's a shame, because just thinking about Joe makes me a better person. He was an indefatigable force for all that is caring and good. Nobody could keep up with him, but anyone who tries will be better for his leading the way. I am proud to have been a fellow parishioner, neighbor, and friend.

Renee Johnson

December 24, 2010

"Mr Monaco" as I fondly remember him. Both he Ann were like a second set of parents for me. We moved into the neighborhood in the early 70s. My mother had passed away and my father being a single parent had to work, as a result Joe and Ann would watch me afterschool. Amazing, kind and giving people. Very sad to hear of his passing. Prayers to the family.

LISA REINSHAGEN

December 8, 2010

Joe you will be so deeply missed. You have been an inspiration, a source of strength and a man who set an example to all by doing and giving unselfishly of yourself and your time. I will miss your greetings, your hugs and your kindness to my children.

December 8, 2010

I'm so glad to have known you Joe. I enjoyed all our Thursday mornings gathering food for Sacred Heart. You and Ann hold a special spot in our hearts. We will miss you very much! Tim, Lisa, Josh, and Taylor Lambert

Anne Wood

December 7, 2010

I will always remember Joe's smile and all the years he ushered at our First Reconciliation and First Communion celebrations at St. Christopher's. He was always there for us and he was a joy to know. Rest in peace Joe, I know for sure you are with the Lord.

mike Groh

December 7, 2010

One of the greatest blessings we ever received was to have Joe in
our lives to learn from and be considered as his friends. He will be truly missed.
Mike and Deb Groh

December 7, 2010

Joe touched all of us. He was loved, he will be missed. To those of us fortunate enough to have known Joe, we have witnessed the life of a saint in our time. Rest in peace dear friend.
Linda & Bill Gradwohl

Janice Harvey

December 7, 2010

To the Family,
Our prayers are with you. He was a good Uncle, and he now sits with those who died before and with the Lord. He will be truly missed by friends and family.
Janice Powner Harvey

Rob, Dana, Sam, and Addison Otto

December 7, 2010

Joe took me under his wing as an Usher at the 12:30 Mass at St. Chris. I always looked forward to his big glowing smile and positive attitude. He knew everyone and his love for people was contagious. Our kids adored him. We'll all miss him dearly.

Joe & Linda Pfahnl

December 6, 2010

Rest in Peace, Joe! The St. Christopher's Community and the Holy Name Society will miss you. What a Great Friend to All!!

Andy Phillips

December 6, 2010

Joe's death comes as a huge loss because knowing Joe was such a huge gain. He was like a reflecting mirror that amplified all of the good around him. If you showed him respect, he returned it tenfold. By his humble demeanor, he humbled me. His love of everything and everyone went past that of anyone else I know in the way that he worked so very hard for so very long to show that love. Joe was the epitomy of indefatigability. He was tireless not only in his efforts to feed the hungry and help the poor, but also in his efforts to find new ways to work even harder to achieve more for anyone less fortunate than him. When I last saw Joe, I told him he was my hero, which brought tears to his eyes. Now it's my turn to cry.

We love you Joe and we will always miss but never forget you.

Andy Phillips and family

Terry Rushbrook

December 5, 2010

It's hard to imagine the old neighborhood in Willow Glen without Joe Monaco. It was a comfort to me to know that Joe was always there to look in on my Mom and Dad on Tiffany Way when I was so far away. His genuine kindness and caring ways were so appreciated. He was an angel and no one could convince me otherwise. I'm just as sure that he is rejoicing with all the other angels now. We'll see you on the other side, Joe!

December 5, 2010

An inspiration to me since childhood when we lived across the street. Joe looked after my parents during their end times and was loved by them both. A more generous and loving man I have never known. Pete Rushbrook

Ed Voss

December 5, 2010

Each of us might have one or two opportunities during our entire lives, if we're lucky, to meet someone that quietly inspires us to try to be a better person. I had that privilege by knowing Joe Monaco at St. Christophers parish for the past 20 years. I never heard him say a single thing about his many efforts on behalf of others - I heard about Joe's awe inspiring legacy from many others. He was a truly great man that lived life to the fullest, and he will be missed, but never forgotten.

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