Charles "Chuck" Del Monico

DEL MONICO, CHARLES "CHUCK", of Garrison, NY, and a longtime resident of South Florida, passed on December 28th, 2008 in the 81st year of his life. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy attached to the Marine Division that helped with the invasion of Okinawa during WWII. An active and successful Miami Beach Entrepreneur, Chuck owned Del Monicos on Meridian Ave. and Caesars Palace, an Antique and Jewelry Store on Lincoln Road. Popular with his fellow merchants, Chuck served as Vice President of the Lincoln Road Merchants Association for a number of years. Chuck will be remembered by his many friends for his bright blue eyes, winning smile, and sense of humor and loyalty. He was one of the best guys you could ever know. He was honest and he was a true friend. He loved good food, entertaining his friends, and of course, being the center of the party! There will never be anybody like him; he had a major impact on all who knew him. As an over 20 year survivor of a heart transplant, Chuck's unique life experiences after his transplant provided information and background for Pulitzer Prize Winning crime reporter and author Edna Buchanan's novel "Pulse." Mr. Del Monico is survived by his wife Mary Lou, daughter Charlotte Ann, his son Christopher Reed, devoted companion Deecee, and an extended family too numerous to mention. We have lost a bright light in our lives and you will be missed dearly. A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Cold Springs, NY. Friends may call at the Gregg L Mason Funeral Home on Sunday, January 4th from 2-8pm. Military Honors, final prayer and Entombment will be held at 11:00am on Monday, January 5th at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, 11411 NW 25th Street. Gregg L Mason Funeral Home Miami, Shores, 305-757-9000 To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.