The Legacy of Joe Monastero: A Life of Family, Food, and Music
Joe Monastero, the beloved owner of Monastero’s restaurant on the Northwest Side of Chicago, passed away on September 7, 2023, at the age of 93. Despite his passing, his legacy lives on through the countless memories and stories shared by those who knew him.
A Life of Family and Food
Monastero’s was more than just a restaurant; it was a gathering place for families and friends. Joe Monastero would often close the restaurant on major holidays, but on most days, he would keep the doors open, no matter what the weather was like outside. "There could be 10 feet of snow on the ground," his son, Joe Monastero, recalled. "It didn’t matter."
On September 11, 2001, after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Joe Monastero opened the restaurant as usual, despite many other establishments staying closed. The restaurant quickly filled with regular customers who wanted to feel safe and gather together. Joe Monastero turned up the volume on the television in the lounge, and everyone gathered to hear the presidential address that evening.
A Passion for Music
Music was a big part of Joe Monastero’s life. He loved opera and would often combine his love of food, family, and music. In 1974, the restaurant held a bel canto-style opera competition for Northwestern University voice students, with a prize of $500. The next year, the prize was singing lessons in Italy with the legendary baritone Tito Gobbi. Patrons enjoying the music started asking for a way to contribute, and in 1976, the family established the Bel Canto Foundation to support the competition.
Joe Monastero married the 1976 winner, Martha Finch, and the couple would often cap off the competition by singing a duet while holding hands. Their song was "Non ti scordar di me," which translates to "Never forget about me."
A Life of Service
Joe Monastero was born in Philadelphia on September 21, 1930, the son of Sebastiano and Maria Monastero. His father, who had two shoe stores, was hit hard by the Depression and decided to ship the family home to Sicily when Joe was just a toddler. The future restaurateur grew up in the Sicilian town of Caccamo, where he studied music and played organ.
After returning to the United States in 1952, Joe Monastero joined his brother in running Monastero Brothers, a wholesale fruit and vegetable supply business. In 1962, the brothers and their sister bought a pizzeria on Devon Avenue, La Canopy. The Monastero siblings opened their eponymous restaurant next door in 1967, which later added a conference and banquet center.
A Legacy of Love and Warmth
For many, Monastero’s was a generational touchstone, with grandparents at the end of the table watching grandkids make a mess of spaghetti in high chairs. The restaurant’s vibe was an extension of what relatives said Joe Monastero prized most: family. Every Monday, the restaurant was closed, but Joe would gather his wife and kids at the dinner table of their home for a traditional Italian meal that often included singing, music, and dancing.
Joe Monastero is survived by his wife, Martha, daughters Maria Giorgia and Elena Rosalia, and five grandchildren. Services have been held.
Conclusion
Joe Monastero’s life was a testament to the power of family, food, and music. His legacy will live on through the countless memories and stories shared by those who knew him. As his son, Joe Monastero, said, "My dad felt it was an honor that people felt safe in our dining room."
FAQs
Q: What was Joe Monastero’s restaurant like?
A: Monastero’s was a gathering place for families and friends, known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Q: What was Joe Monastero’s passion?
A: Joe Monastero loved opera and music, and would often combine his love of food, family, and music.
Q: What was the Bel Canto Foundation?
A: The Bel Canto Foundation was established by Joe Monastero’s family to support the bel canto-style opera competition for Northwestern University voice students.
Q: What was Joe Monastero’s legacy?
A: Joe Monastero’s legacy was one of love, warmth, and a commitment to family and community.
