Sam B. Monaco

June 2, 1923-February 23, 2015

Sam B. Monaco went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 23, 2015. He was born June 2, 1923, the 3rd child out of a family of eight children and the son of Italian immigrants, Rose and Blas Monaco, who settled in San Antonio in 1920.

His father was a produce vendor and his mother a housewife, raising their large family in a two bedroom house located in the immediate west side of town where a number of Italian Immigrants settled. From an early age, Sam was active with the Christopher Columbus Italian American Society and The San Francesco di Paola Church, all located downtown on Martin St. Sam was active in all sports but had a true love for baseball. He continued to play into his early adult years in men's fast pitch leagues. As a young man, he and his brothers would work early morning hours before school for their father, going to market and then running their produce route to their customers in the city.

At the age of 14, he operated the business and attended school for several months while his father traveled back to Italy. From an early age he learned the value of hard work and living frugally through difficult times. At age 16, he graduated early from Fox Tech (known then as San Antonio Tech) with training as an electrician. He graduated early to help the family and pursue his trade. In 1942 he joined the U.S. Army AirCorp and served his country as a radar technician until the war ended in 1945.

Sam returned home and started working as an electrician with the goal of becoming a master electrician. In 1947, through a family friend and relative, he met Mary Pingitore from Worcester, Massachusetts. Mary and Sam married on May 24, 1948, which began a wonderful and long relationship until Mary's passing in 2012. In 1952, with a young family of three, Sam started Circle Electric Company, creating an opportunity for Sam and Mary to reap the rewards of hard work that they both valued and never hesitated to pursue. Married for 64 years, Sam and Mary raised five children, who in turn raised their seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Sam and Mary were active in their children's education in the area catholic school system. They served on boards and fundraising events at Incarnate Word High School, Mount Sacred Heart Boys School and Antonian College Prep. Later on, Sam and Mary were active with the Robert E Lee Booster Club.

Throughout his life, Sam was active in the Christopher Columbus Society, Unico Italian American Society, International Order of the Alhambra-Bejar, the Knights of Columbus and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Sam was a man of great integrity, strong faith in God, and a man who valued family, with a commitment to fulfilling his calling as a husband and father. Sam and Mary traveled the world, enriching their lives and fulfilling their passion to travel abroad. They generously shared their passion with their children and grandchildren on many trips around the world. After recovering from stomach cancer in 1994, Sam sold his business to Tommy, his youngest child, and retired from the business. Tommy continues to operate Circle Electric to this day! Sam continued to manage his real estate investments until his death, never stopping to fulfill his obligation to work! He truly believed that hard work, combined with strong Christian values, was our calling on this earth. And he lived it until his passing!

Sam was preceded in death by Mary, his wife and true love; his mother and father; his son-in-law, Chuck Griffin; three brothers; one sister, and two brothers-in law.

He is survived by his brother Joe and his wife, Patsy; his sisters, Yolanda Granata and her husband, Frank and Rosemarie Pagonis; sister-in-law, Velma Monaco; his only daughter, Rosemary DeHaven and her husband, Greg; oldest son, Sam B. Monaco Jr.; his son, Lawrence D. Monaco and his wife, Sharon; son, Edward C. Monaco and his wife, Martha; son, Thomas A. Monaco and his wife, Cynthia; granddaughter, Julie Pelcak and her husband Mark; his grandsons, Andrew Monaco, Peter Monaco and Stephen Monaco; granddaughters, Paula Monaco, Lauren Monaco, and Adrian Monaco; great grandchild, Emma Mary Pelcak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 pm at Porter Loring on McCullough Avenue.

ROSARY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015, 7:00 P.M. PORTER LORING CHAPEL 1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE.

MASS OF THE RESURRECTION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 10:00 A.M. BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 600 OBLATE DR.

Interment to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.