Joseph Monaco

Humanitarian

Former Safeway Executive dies, Born April 28, 1920 in Ohio, died November 26, 2010 in San Jose, Ca.

Joe, the 7th of 8 children, grew up on the family farm in Pennsylvania with his hard working immigrant parents from Introdacqua, Italy. They taught Joe the value of helping those less fortunate, providing food for anyone in need.

Joe served in the U.S. Army Air Corps 79th Fighter Group in World War II from 1941 thru 1945 in the North African and European Campaigns. Upon his discharge, he attended the Robert Morris School of Business, earning his degree in accounting. He married his High School sweetheart in 1946 and was widowed in 1959 when Lavina died. They had two sons, Joseph (Sheryl) and Philip (Jeanie), and Philip's sons Andrew (Katie), Anthony and Jerome. Also great grandchildren Eugene Joseph and Justin Andrew.

In 1953, Joe joined the Safeway organization as an accountant at their Tuxedo Candy Plant, then became Plant manager in 1956, and rising through the ranks until retirement in 1985 as Financial Controller of the Bakery Division.

Joe has always been active in the Parish where the family resided. His sons attended St. Martin's School in San Jose where Joe served as Head Usher and Sexton. In 1962, Joe married Ann DeAngelis and the family moved to St. Christopher's Parish. Together, he and Ann raised their sons of whom they are very proud.

When the boys attended Bellarmine College Preparatory School, Joe was President of the Dad's Club in 1969. He became a member of the Catholic Social Services (Catholic Charities) board, which created the John XXIII Senior Center in downtown San Jose where Joe was elected President for the first 4 years, 1964-1968. In 1981, Joe and Ann joined the Italian American Foundation where he served on the Board for 4 years and remained an active member.

In 1984 Joe joined the Serra Club as their fund raiser and raised the most money ever for them. Also during 1984 Joe joined the Knights of Columbus Bishop O'Dowd Council and became a member of their 4th Degree Portola Assembly Color Corps. During his tenure as a Knight he received 18 Outstanding Awards thru 2006. Joe served as Grand Knight in 1996 and was still active.

From 1985 through 1996, he assisted Fr. William O'Connor at the Good Samaritan Hospital, distributing the Eucharist to patients 2 day a week. One month after his retirement from Safeway and with the assistance of Msgr Allen and Sister Dolores of St. Christopher's Parish, Joe began his Gleaners Group. This group of 100 volunteers picked up donations 6 days a week from 28 stores and delivered the food averaging 20 tons a week to 22 different facilities. For 30 years Joe sponsored a Sucker Booth at St. Christopher's Summer Festival, and was their usher for over 40 years. He was one of the Funeral Ministers from 1997 thru 2005. From 1986 thru 1991 Joe worked as the Notre Dame All Girl High School Golf Tournament Fund Raiser and surpassed all their previous records.

Joe has been recognized in several ways, appearing on Channel 11 and Evening Magazine. He received many awards: the San Francisco 49'er Community Volunteer Quarterback of the year 2004, the Pro Eccesia Et Pontifice Award for Special Service from Pope John Paul II in 2001, the First Nicholas Green Award in 1999, the "Giving Something Back" award in 1993, the St. Vincent de Paul Frederick Oznam Schroll award in 1965, the Volunteer of the Year Knights of Columbus State of California award in 2003, the Italian American Heritage Foundation Humanitarian of the year in 2005, and Outstanding Knight of Columbus Community Leader Gleaner for the Disadvantaged in 2005. Also in 2005 he received Martha's Kitchen Humanitarian Extraordinaire Award. In 2006 he received the Martha's Kitchen "Your Determination Made the Difference" award.

Joe had said that without the help and support of Ann and his family and God's blessings of good health, he could not have done what he did. His motto had always been "Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today".

Funeral arrangements:

Visitation will be at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1576 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 on Thursday, December 9th from 4 PM until 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will follow immediately afterward.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Joe's honor to Martha's Kitchen, 311 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95110 or to St. Christopher School Endowment Fund, 2278 Booksin Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125