61°
He was born in his Valley Brook Avenue home, where he had been a lifelong resident. He was the owner of Plaid Motors, which he established in 1968, along with his wife, Hilda. For more than 48 years, he worked in the shop with his sons Frank, John and Robert and later, his grandson, John III.
He joined the Lyndhurst Volunteer Fire Department, Hill Co. No. 3 in 1952 when he was 24. Monaco was fire chief from 1966-67, fire commissioner from 1978-85 and treasurer for Hill Co. No. 3 until the day he died. On April 26, 1979, he was awarded Fireman of the Year and Outstanding Fireman by the American Legion. He served on the relief association for over 40 years and was a member of The New York-New Jersey Fireman's Association.
In 2002, he celebrated 50 years with the fire department and was honored with a street named in his honor, Monaco Place.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hilda (Tiago) Monaco; his children Frank Monaco Sr., John F. Monaco Jr. and his wife, Theresa; and Robyn Piserchia; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and various nieces, nephews, countless friends and the Lyndhurst Fire Department "family.”
He was predeceased by his parents, Frank Monaco and Lena (Montefusco); by his sisters Charlotte Wehrle, Phyllis Bogle and Josephine Shellhammer; by his sons Charles R. Monaco in 2002 and Robert C. Monaco in 2007.
Visiting hours will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Nazare Memorial Home Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, then to Sacred Heart Church, Lyndhurst, where a 10 a.m. funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to N.J. Fireman's Home, 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton Township, NJ 07005.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lyndhurst and receive free news updates.
