Thomas Joseph Monaco Sr.

Dr. Thomas Joseph Monaco, Sr., 88, died peacefully on September 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A resident of the Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, NC, Tom was affectionately known as “Pop” by his grandchildren.

Tom was born February 20, 1938, in Kearny, New Jersey to Nicholas and Anne (Sawicki) Monaco.

Upon completing his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Rutgers University, Tom moved to Raleigh to pursue his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology at NCSU. Although raised in New Jersey, his roots were quickly transplanted into Southern soil, where he flourished professionally, met his wife, and raised a family. A respected scientist, educator, and mentor, Tom pursued his lifelong passion for agriculture, advancing its impact in improving lives around the world. Over the course of his career, he became a nationally and internationally recognized leader in horticulture and weed science. Held in high esteem by friends and colleagues, he dedicated 35 years of distinguished service to NC State University where he served as Professor, including 15 years as the Head of the Department of Horticultural Science. Following his retirement, he continued to contribute to the mission of the Horticulture Department and NCSU for an additional 15 years, serving as an Assistant to the Dean’s Office. Tom loved and was committed to his work, his colleagues, and the students at NCSU. One of his proudest professional legacies was the numerous graduate students he mentored, many of whom went on to become prominent educators and leaders in agriculture throughout the world. He took special pride in sharing that ten members of the Monaco family, including his sons, their spouses, and several grandchildren, earned degrees from NC State University, reflecting both his deep affection for the University and the family’s enduring connection to it.

Tom’s favorite roles were as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He married his beloved wife, Jenny, in August 1964. Together as lifelong partners, they built a home for their family characterized by laughter, warmth, and support. By example, they taught their three sons the importance of kindness, integrity, and leaving the world better than they found it. Those who met Tom even briefly will share that he embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. He loved to gather with family and friends, to share meals, to share stories, and to create memories. For many years, he enjoyed spending time at his beach home, organizing fishing trips on his boat, and surf fishing on the Outer Banks, including with members of the Core Banks Surf Fishing Club. Regardless of whether the fish cooperated, these fishing trips were characterized by an abundance of camaraderie, laughter, and good food.

Gardening was another of Tom’s passions. Those around him benefitted not only from his expertise but also from the humor and encouragement that he brought to every gardening lesson. Proper cultivation of seeds, the finer points of running a tiller, and tips for meticulously laying irrigation pipe were all part of “Pop’s Gardening 101,” informal instruction for anyone who wanted to learn. His gardening produced an abundance of flowers, fruits, and vegetables which he generously shared with loved ones, neighbors, and the local Food Bank. His gardening projects included, at times, unusual and rare produce, and he regularly won ribbons at the NC State Fair for these “odd” offerings as well as more traditional produce. In many ways, Tom’s gift for nurturing and growing was reflected even in the lawn and landscaping around the family home on Oregon Circle in Cary. The carefully tended yard resulted in neighbors and passersby frequently stopping to admire his work. Even strangers often offered a thumbs up, a smile, or a positive shout out from an open car window as he tended to beautiful dramatic annuals as well as trees that he planted decades ago. The same care, joy, and generosity that made Tom an exceptional gardener also defined the way he nurtured relationships through his life.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Smithwick Monaco (Jenny); his three sons; Dr. Thomas Monaco, Jr. (Dr. Jane Monaco) (Raleigh), Dr. Joseph W. Monaco (Dr. Malina Monaco) (Cary), and Mr. Michael A. Monaco, JD (Ms. Sylvia Monaco) (Apex), and eight grandchildren: Spencer, Catherine, Claire, Margaret, John, Anthony, Nicholas and Anna; his brother Joseph L. Monaco (Atlantic Highlands, NJ); and sister Marion Taylor (Tucson, Arizona). He was predeceased by his brother, Nicholas Monaco.

Tom leaves behind many cherished friends who became family through the years, especially Jayne and Roy Byrd of Cary.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Tom on October 19th, 2026, at 2:00 pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church of Raleigh (1520 Canterbury Road).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a memorial gift to the Thomas J. and Virginia S. Monaco Horticultural Science Graduate Fellowship Endowment through the NC Agricultural Foundation. Gifts may be made online at go.ncsu.edu/imotommonaco or mailed to NC Agricultural Foundation, Campus Box 7645, NC State, Raleigh, NC 27695-7645. For gifts made by check, please include “Tom Monaco” on the memo line.