Mondie Novelli

Armond Anthony “Mondie” Novelli, born to parents Francesco and Teresa Novelli on April 14, 1928, beloved husband, father, PopPop, and Grand PopPop, left this world peacefully on February 21, 2024. He was 95 years old.

Today, we miss him. From the melon stand at Gentile’s Fruit Market and the dining room of local restaurants to the hotdog line at Costco, Mondie brought much needed levity and playfulness to the humdrum routine of the day. He never met a stranger. If you crossed paths as a waitress, clerk, or fellow patron, you may remember fondly your encounter with Mondie. He may have taught you how to choose the ripest melon, showed you how to correctly cut an onion, or provided you written instructions for the perfect martini, ensuring the bartender got it just right.

If you were one of his four daughters, you knew his playful nature best as you shopped or dined with him at one of his favorite establishments or gathered in the family home to share a drink with some “tidbits” or spaghetti with crabs in the dining room. How often being with him was the best part of the day. If you were his grandchild or great grandchild, at very special times you got to reach your hand into the coveted Magic Bag. With a wave of his hand and the chant of a spell, PopPop would reveal surprise trinkets and treats. From his early days as a Radnor cheerleader to picking up a tennis racquet in his middle age to being the most vibrant dancer at his grandchildren’s weddings, he was amazingly coordinated and always ready to try something new.

Mondie had wonderful style, a great eye for detail, and a flair for the artistic, often amusing children at the dinner table and turning their squiggles into whimsical art. He loved fruit, hoagies, ice cream, a bowl of spaghetti and steak cooked rare, but most of all he loved making others happy. Mondie saw every day as an opportunity to entertain, from bringing home impromptu guests for one of Angie’s fabulous weeknight meals to planning the legendary New Year’s Eve parties they hosted for decades. In his last weeks he enjoyed time with family and friends, always finishing his meal with a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. Forever with a smile, a laugh, and a rare zest for life, he reminded us all in these moments that it’s the little things that matter most.

A child of the Great Depression, Mondie knew to never lose sight of what was important and not only to seek joy but to create it wherever he could. Together with his cherished wife, Angie, he worked hard every day to create a beautiful life for his family. Starting work at age five, Mondie held many jobs over the years–often three at once!–and had particularly fond memories of his days at the US Postal Service, as owner of The Corner Store, and his decades with ANRO Printing. He was an astute investor and had a knack for understanding what others loved most. He loved the United States and represented proudly the American Dream.

Mondie gave his time generously serving church, community, and country. Most notable were: his time as a member and president of the Radnor School Board, five decades of service with the Radnor Fire Company, President of Radnor Township Youth League, and devoted and faithful member of Our Lady of Assumption Church and Malvern Retreat House, serving on countless committees and in many leadership roles over the years. He was also a proud veteran, enlisting and serving in the United States Navy.

Mondie was the hardest worker we know, and his unwavering commitment to family and community will be his legacy.

The family would like to thank Eleen Henry for her kindness and dedicated care for Mondie. Her skill and gentle nature provided him the opportunity to live life just as he wanted in his final years.

Mondie Novelli was predeceased by his parents, brothers Jim and Mead, sons Michael and Chipper, and wife Angie. He is survived by four daughters and their husbands Betsy (Joe), Joan (Jim) Peggy (Richard), and Fran (Fred). He is also survived by ten grandchildren Matt, Andrew, Molly, Maggie, Hannah, Jake, Nick, Amanda, Jamey and Christopher, and seven great grandchildren Valentina, Leandro, Mira, Sophia, Angelina, Wells, and Jett.

Visitation Friday March 1, from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Alleva Funeral Home Inc., Paoli, PA. Visitation Saturday March 2, 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Assumption Church, Wayne, PA with Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. Interment to follow.

Mondie never missed an opportunity to brighten someone’s day. In honor of his memory, tip a little more, bring a neighbor a basket of fruit, invite someone to dinner, or have a cooler of drinks ready for the lawn crew.

Causes close to his heart include: Radnor Fire Company, Malvern Retreat House, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.