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Father Harry Monaco, OFM
Fr. Harry Monaco, OFM, 48 years of age, a professed Franciscan friar for nine years and a priest for two years, died on Monday, December 5 at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, MD, after a long struggle with cancer.
Fr. Monaco was born October 14, 1963, in Saratoga Springs, NY, to Harry and Angela (DeVito) Monaco. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, NY, in 1985, earning a B.A. in History. In 1986, he entered the formation program of the Order of Friars Minor, Holy Name Province; following his postulancy and novitiate year, he completed three years of education at the Washington Theological Union, Washington, DC, and a one-year internship in campus ministry at Siena College in Loudonville, NY, before leaving the Order in 1992.
For the next ten years, he lived in Boston, Mass., and was employed as a social worker at Victory Programs there; he obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College.
In 2002, he again was drawn to religious life and entered St. Joseph’s Monastery, a Trappist community in Spencer, Mass. At the end of a two-year period there, he re-joined the Franciscan friars, and was received into the novitiate in 2004, professed his first vows in 2005, and completed his studies at the Washington Theological Union. After professing final vows and ordination to the diaconate in 2008, he was assigned to St. Bonaventure University. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 2009, in New York City. Fr. Monaco completed an M.A. degree in Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University, in 2009, where he taught in the Theology Department, was a faculty advisor and pianist/organist; and was active at Mt. Irenaeus, a mountain retreat affiliated with St. Bonaventure. In the fall of 2010, he enrolled in the doctoral program at The Catholic University of America, living at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md., but was forced to discontinue his studies earlier this year because of illness.
Fr. Monaco is survived by his parents, Harry and Angela Monaco, his brother and his wife, Vincent and Nancy Monaco, his sister and her husband, Patricia and Hector Gonzales, all of Ballston Spa, nieces and nephews, Vincent Gonzales, Amelia Gonzales, Stephanie Monaco Hotaling (Sean) and Dominic Monaco. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Relatives and friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9pm Friday, December 9 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc, 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. A wake service will be held at 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am, Saturday, December 10 at St. Mary’s Church, 167 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa. Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, will be principal celebrant and Fr. Michael Blastic, OFM, will preach the homily. A prayer service will be held at 1pm, Monday, December 12 in the St Bonaventure University Chapel. Burial will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Franciscans – St. Anthony’s Guild, 4 Jersey Street, East Rutherford, NJ 07073-1012 or the Fr. Harry Monaco Scholarship, St Bonaventure University, PO Box 2500, St Bonaventure, NY 14778.
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Guest Book
Cheryl Aylesworth
I am so sad that Father Monaco ( Harry as he preferred) has left this world. I know his faith sustained him when the physicial challenges were great. He was a man of grace and in a quiet and simple manner transformed any small space into one of joy and relaxation. It was a guilty pleasure to have an appointment time with him because he always gave so much back to me personally and to the other patients and staff that he sat with. He never doubted his place with God and only wanted to be on this earth as long as he could so he could be with the many people he loved and loved him back. He was grateful and I would wonder why he was able to be this way. He always took the time to let me know how much we all need to be present and grateful for the gifts we have even when they may seem like burdens. He was a teacher, a confidant and a shepherd of the flock everyday. I will miss him and know it pales compared to the many that have known him much longer.
Tim Powers
To Mr & Mrs Monaco, Harry's brother and sister, and all his family, I was privileged to be Harry's brother in the Franciscan Order for a few years. He influenced me and my spirituality in ways that I cannot possibly explain. He and I often collaborated on liturgical music, and I will treasure those memories of singing with him as pianist; we sometimes got it right on the first try, and often we (actually, I, ) messed it up. And Harry would laugh, and his laugh was infectious, so I would laugh too. I would usually contact him around Easter, after I had left the friars, when I would think of him when certain hymns were sung. Heaven has a new pianist. And heaven had a new saint, I have no doubt. My heart is broken, and I weep at his death. But, I know Harry believed in the Resurrection, and his belief strengthens mine. I have, we have, many lessons to learn from Harry. But I believe he will help us with his prayers. With much love, Tim Powers
Fr. Ray Frias OFM Cap
I was saddened to learn of Harry's death yesterday. I first met him when I was a student at St. Bonaventure's and he was a student novice with Holy Name Province in the 80s. He was a kind and gentle friar with a deep spirituality and love for all people. I later met him when he was at St. Joseph's Abbey where we discussed his deep desire to follow Our Lord as best he could. I was happy when he returned to Holy Name Province and was finally ordained a priest. He will be greatly missed by many but, I'm sure, he is a welcomed addition to the Heavenly hosts.
Jose and Jaynee Gonzales
Patty, Hector, Angie, Harry and all your families. We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Father Harry. We surely would have come to the funeral home and pay our respects, however, we found out about this tradegy too late to change our work schedules. Although we didn't know Fr. Harry personally, reading of his impressive life and career, we can't help but to know how proud you all are of such a wonderful man who no doubt served the lord and devoted his life to helping others. What a testament of faith. Please accept our condolences and know that our thoughts and our prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. You are all so fortunate to have such strong and loving families and friends to see you through this tragic time. All our love...Jose and Jaynee
Helen Tornesello Pritchard
Angela, Harry and Family,
I cannot begin to explain the sadness and heartbreak I feel for you. Life is so unfair to take such a great man from this earth. God really hit the jackpot receiving both your mother and son within a week. We received 6 inches of beautiful snow in Roswell, NM on Monday. This is very rare. I believe it was God showing his happiness receive two great souls.
My prayers are with you.
Anna (Neugebauer) Buglion
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Monaco and Family -
Harry was a remarkable person. In these last few months, he had lent a guiding hand in my journey through the history of our faith. His gentle way of providing direction has left a lasting impression on me, and I often refer back to his emails and find more than what I first remember reading. I reflect also on how he wrote about his inner peace, the spiritual comfort he found in his oncologist, his delight in seeing the therapy dogs who visited his hospital, and his continued amazement of the people in his life who were so incredibly kind. I believe he felt his purpose in life was to spread joy, comfort, and faith...and he succeeded!
I was fortunate to get a guided tour from him a few years back when he was still at St. Bonaventure. Before he headed off to class, he strongly suggested that I take time to view the art work in the gallery on campus. Among the many beautiful works of art, there was one that amazed me...a winter landscape titled 'New Fallen Snow'. It looked just like the woods around Ballston Spa after the first significant snowfall. In follow up correspondence, Harry told me that was one of his favorites too. It used to hang in the library where he studied as a student. Through it, we found that we shared a common interest in nature - the woods and exploring creeks.
Harry touched every soul that came in contact with him, and I will echo what his cousin, Paul, wrote. The world is a better place because of Harry, and would be better still if we emulated him.
Anna B.
ah...a second correction. And, more significant because it confirms the ties between St. Bonaventure and Ballston Spa. The correct name of the painting is 'Morning After the Snow' by William Bliss Baker. What we took as looking like the woods around Ballston Spa may actually be just that! Mr. Baker, an extremely gifted artist in the style of Realism, grew up in Ballston Spa., and he had a summer studio on the east side of Ballston Lake.
Here is a link to the painting in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure.
http://www.sbu.edu/About_SBU.aspx?id=22484
Anna B
One small clarification...the therapy dogs were at Bethesda Hospital in Maryland where Fr. Harry celebrated Mass with patients. I reread one of his emails this morning and realized my error.
Paul Monaco
Aunt Angie, Uncle Harry, Patricia, and Vincent,
I can't even begin to explain the sadness that came over me when I heard of Harry's passing. What a wonderful member of our great family we have lost.
I will always remember the good times he and I had. Riding our bikes; sleeping out on the front porch; occasionally going with him on his paper route at the crack of dawn; working side by side with him at Uncle Jimmy's Valley Acres; talking of his travels; sharing a glass of wine around the table at Christmas time; being in utter amazement while watching him magically play the piano; listening to his joyous words at St. Mary's Church when he spoke of "coming home".
Always a gentleman who carried himself with grace, who touched many people with his counsel, caring, and strength. This world is a better place because of Harry.
In honor of this great man, I raise a toast, bow my head, and say, "I will miss you, my cousin, Harry".
Elizabeth Cary Blum
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Monaco and Family,
I had the honor of working with Harry at Victory Programs for five years. I am heartbroken over Harry's death. He was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Liz Cary Blum
Waban, Mass
Larry & Sylvia DeLaurie
We both thought of Fr. Harry as a gentle, caring person. Larry remembers
him as a good math student. He was in my prayers daily. He was special.