Richard D. Monacelli

Richard D. Monacelli, 69, of Tempe, Ariz. and formerly of Albion, entered into rest on Fri., March 29, 2019 after a long illness.

Born Sept. 28, 1949 in Albion, Richard was a son of the late Filbert H. and Nancy (Carbone) Monacelli. Mr. Monacelli served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972 on the Navy Destroyer U.S.S. Tattnall. His tour included travel to the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and Southeast Asia, including the Republic of South Vietnam.

He attended Mesa Community College and Arizona State University after his military tour. Mr. Monacelli worked with various building contractors in the Phoenix area. He retired as vice president and chief estimator for Michael A. Riddle Painting & Contracting in Tempe. His projects included the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, the Phoenician Hotel & Resort, the Arizona Mills Mall, the City of Mesa Fine Arts Center, and many colleges and school districts in the southwest. Mr. Monacelli was a longtime member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Tempe and had a special devotion to the rosary. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills. He also enjoyed rooting for Phoenix-area professional and college teams.

He is survived by two children, Nicole (David) Ross and David Monacelli; two grandchildren; three siblings, Elenna (Arnold) D’Amico of Leesburg, Va., Elizabeth (late Larry) Passarell of Medina, and Philbert Monacelli of Medina; his niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, to whom he was devoted; three aunts, Lorraine Blandino of Bath, Geraldine Kientz of Brockport, and Cetta Carbone of Philadelphia; several cousins and friends in the Holley, Albion and Phoenix areas.

A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Fri., April 12 at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Church in Medina, where Rev. Daniel J. Fawls will celebrate his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Military honors will be accorded by members of Lincoln Post #1483, V.F.W. and Butts-Clark Post #204, American Legion. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Holley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston MA 02241; or to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 2121 South Rural Road, Tempe AZ 85282.

Arrangements are with Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. Share memories and condolences at www.cooperfuneralhome.com.