Monroe J Scelzi

Monroe James Scelzi was born to Michael and Christine Scelzi on November 28, 1921, in Fresno and left us on Monday, June 3, 2013. After high school, Monroe joined the United Sates Army during World War II. He served from 1942 to 1946. The Scelzi and Teore families were long-time friends. While he was away in the service, Monroe started writing to Margaret Teore and then came home on leave to court her. Margaret made him wait until the war ended and then married him on November 26, 1944. They began their married life in Clovis, New Mexico, where he was stationed. Upon his discharge, they moved back to Fresno and settled on a 20-acre farm and started their family. They had three sons, Mike, Jim and Gary. Monroe went to work for Standard Oil Company in 1946, and shortly after became a distributor. From 1967 to 1972, he operated an American Oil service station on First and Ventura. In 1973, he started M.J. Scelzi and Sons, a Union 76 oil jobber in Kerman and the Madera area, and was there every day until he retired in 2006. He worked hard all his life. Monroe loved his family more than anything and was proud of his sons. Even if he hesitated to say so to them, he was quick to brag about his boys to others. We will miss you, Pop! The family would like to thank St. Agnes Hospice for their wonderful care of Monroe and the family.

Monroe was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Marie DiRedo.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Margaret; his sons, Michael and his wife Sandra, James and his wife Mitzie, and Gary and his wife Julianne; his brothers, Lawrence and Michael Scelzi; his sister, Francis Casarez; grandchildren, Robert, James, Dominic and Giovanni Scelzi, Jill Fallahsafa, Craig Freeman; and great-grandchildren, Robert and Sydney Scelzi, Raine Freeman Hayes and Peyton and Jordan Freeman, and Taylor Fallahsafa.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Monroe's life will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Monroe's memory to St. Agnes Hospice.