Gaetano "Neno” Monopoli

On Wednesday, January 13th, 2021, a great man, and lifelong resident of the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood Gaetano “Neno” Monopoli passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease due to post complications from COVID disease.

Born in Worcester, on July 11, 1928, one of five children of Italian immigrants Natale and Grace (Pedone) Monopoli.  Raised in his beloved Italian neighborhood, Neno graduated from Worcester Boys Trade and adopted a life-long work ethic at Crompton-Knowles, the Black Orchid Restaurant and finally with the University of Massachusetts Medical School before retiring.  

Neno married Christina “Tina” Carpino on Janurary 17^th, 1951 and this Sunday would have marked their 70^th wedding anniversary.  They settled in their family home on Shrewsbury Street and raised a tight knit family with much love and devotion.  His family was always the center of his world;  Holidays, Sunday dinners and specials occasions were always times he looked forward to.

Neno is survived by the “Love of his life” Christina;  his five children, Grace “Dee” Catino and her husband Joseph Jr., of Rio Vista CA, Gina Zollo and her husband Robert, Gail Phillips, Tina Marie Paquette, Gaetano “Guy” Monopoli, Jr. and his wife Maureen of Northborough; his beautiful eight grandchildren, Michael Porcaro, Leah Paquette, Christina, Robert and Alyssa Zollo, Stephen and Lindsey Phillips, and Ava Monopoli; his great grandchildren, Devin, Matteo, and Julien, in-laws Carol Monopoli, Anthony and Beverly Carpino, Alan and Doris “Dee” Carpino, as well  as many nieces, nephews and numerous friends. Neno joins his parents, four siblings, Peter Monopoli (wife Theresa), John Monopoli, Donatina “Dena” Dipersia (husband Joseph), Angelina “Lena” Kamyck (husband Chester),  and his son in law, Matthew Phillips in eternal rest.

Neno was a member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish all his life. He was also a beautiful person who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; spending time with family and friends, or just being with his wife, children or grandchildren. He was the backbone of his family and remained devoted to them throughout his life.  Neno was also very generous with his love, time, resources, and helped anyone he could.

Neno loved to take his daily walks up and down Shrewsbury St.  He knew all the establishments and residents on the street.  He always got a wave, a friendly conversation and welcoming smiles from people as he strolled the street from one end to the other.   Many friends referred to Neno as the “mayor” of Shrewsbury St., peeping his head into the windows of Restaurant Row to see who was busy and also check on his daughters when they waitressed in their early years.    One could find him daily walking the street or playing cards with his brothers and friends at the Biscee Club and the East Side Improvement Club, the latter of which he was a founding member. Neno had a proclivity for numbers which rendered the nickname “Bomar Brain”.   In his younger day Neno was known to be a great dancer and enjoyed taking his wife to hear the Big Bands.

Friends are invited to a period of calling hours Tuesday, January 19th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St before departing in procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where his celebration of Christian burial mass will be held at 12 noon.  Mass COVID restrictions, masks and social distancing are required in the funeral home, church and at cemetery.   Burial will be in St John Cemetery. A celebration  of life will be held at a later date when we can all be together. To leave a message of condolence or share a special memory of Neno please visit his memorial site at mercadantefuneral.com   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave, Waltham, MA 02451. www.heart.org/donate