Paul Martin Monacelli

1950 - 2023

Paul Martin Monacelli

Paul Martin Monacelli, 73, of Virginia died June 23, 2023 at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota following complications from heart problems.

He was born in Hibbing on March 24,1950 to Geno and Shirlee (Kitchen) Monacelli, graduated from Virginia High School in 1968 and worked for Inland Steel/Arcelor Mining for 33 years, retiring in 2010.

Paul and Debbie Peterson married in 1975 and recently celebrated their 48 th anniversary. They raised their family in Cotton and later in Virginia. Together Paul and Deb enjoyed gardening, both wilderness and RV camping, cabin life, and traveling.

They traveled in the United States and abroad, and especially enjoyed trips to Central and South America. Paul celebrated his retirement with a trip to Italy and visited the birth towns of both his Italian grandparents.

Paul was an active member of the community serving on the Cotton Town Board and the Board of Directors for the Natural Harvest Food Coop for many years. He helped

organize the annual Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championship in Cotton for most of three decades. Paul served in more recent years on various committees including the Olcott Park Friends of the Greenhouse, Olcott Park Fountain Restoration, Brewfest, and the Virginia Parks and Lakes committee.

Paul loved music, sports of all kinds, and closely followed the Minnesota Twins.

He was a member of the Pike River Bottom Boys band, and also, for many years, enjoyed the friendship and music on Friday nights with the Bomb Bay Boys.

Paul made friends easily due to his genuine kindness and interest in the lives of others.

He loved and was devoted to his family. He was the fun "Papa" to his six grandchildren.

He had a special gift of engaging with them in hours of make-believe and play. He and Deb enjoyed following their grandchildren to their sporting and school events. Paul's

sense of humor brought smiles, laughs and joy to family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife, Deb; daughter, Livia and son-in-law, Gabe Amundson of Hermantown and their children Campbell, Blake, Miles and Finn; son, Rylan and daughter-in-law Elizabeth of Bellingham, Washington and their children Ari and Leo; sister Gail (Lars) Oakman; brothers, Mark (De Ana Thompson) Monacelli and Jon (Deborah) Monacelli; uncle Edward (Phyllis) Monacelli; sisters-in-law Velura (Jim) Kellner and Sherrill (Kurt Knitter) Peterson; brother-in-law Stanley (Michelle) Peterson; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents.

The family is grateful to the many doctors, nurses and staff at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, especially Dr. Hebroon Obaid, for their expertise, care and compassion that they provided to Paul.

A memorial Open House will be held in Paul's honor on Friday, July 21 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia from 2:00 to 5:00. Memorials are preferred to the Olcott

Park Fountain Fund, c/o the Virginia Community Foundation, 303 Chestnut Street,Virginia, MN, 55792, or to the charity of your choice.