Mario Joseph Monterosso

Mario Joseph Monterosso

May 6, 1936 – September, 22, 2024

Mario Monterosso passed away at his home in San Rafael on September 22 at the age of 88, in the presence of his loving family. Mario was born in San Francisco to Louis & Josephine Monterosso, immigrants from Augusta, Sicily. Mario attended Balboa High School and San Francisco State University.  Mario later served in the United States Army and drew a prime posting at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, Hawaii.  Mario’s 40-year professional career in the insurance industry began as an underwriter with Continental Insurance.  He later worked for various companies including Transamerica. 

As a teenager, Mario learned to play the accordion and later appeared on a local television amateur hour, the Del Courtney Show.  While waiting in the green room, he was given a piece of candy from the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald.  His children remember fondly the days when dad would take out the accordion and play songs while they jumped around.  In the Mood was their favorite.

Those who know Mario can all attest to his love of baseball, as a player, coach, and fan.  Mario was a star shortstop during his playing days, first at Balboa High School and later at San Francisco State University.  Mario’s baseball prowess during high school led to him being honored decades later as an inductee into the Balboa High School Athletic Hall of Fame.  During college, Mario competed for the starting shortstop job with future 14-year major leaguer Tommy Harper.  Mario’s defensive quickness and “great hands” sent Harper to the outfield.  Mario shared his love and knowledge of the game by coaching Little League for many years while raising his family in Novato.  Mario also loved the local teams, watching the San Francisco Seals at Seals Stadium, and later the San Francisco Giants from the moment they arrived in town and rejoiced when they finally won a World Series in 2010.  When watching baseball with Mario, one could always count on him pointing out the flaws in the pivot made by either the shortstop or second baseman during a botched double play.

Mario fell in love and married his first wife Joanne Ceccarelli in 1961. Together they raised three children, Laura, John and Steve.  In 1972 the family moved from Pacifica to “faraway” Novato where Mario resided until recently moving to San Rafael.  He was devoted to his family, coaching John and Steve in Little League, escorting Laura to annual Father & Daughter dances, which later became Grandfather & Grand Daughter dances.  He was always supportive to his children in every way.  Mario regularly attended Mass at Our Lady of Loretto parish.  Joanne passed away at the young age of 45.

Mario fell in love a second time and in 1990 married his wife of 34 years Nancy Cook Rodriguez, and became step-dad to Cherie and Michael.  After retiring in 1999, Mario and Nancy traveled the world together.  They especially enjoyed, visiting the south of France and Italy, once traveling with Mario’s sister Rose and her husband Frank to see the birthplace of their parents in Augusta, Sicily. 

During Mario’s retirement years he enjoyed life to the fullest.  While nobody would confuse his game with Tiger Woods, Mario was an avid golfer who played regularly.  More than the golf it was the companionship of amichethat matter the most, for Mario had lots of friends with whom he could laugh and share stories.  His regular golf partners included his late brother Joe, and lifelong friends Frank Mirabella and Don Shepard.  Some of the best times were the group trips to Arizona for Spring Training baseball, golf, Manhattans, and steaks.  A highlight was the night Mario and his entourage walked into Don & Charlies in Scottsdale and were seated next to Mario’s hero Willie Mays, and Willie’s entourage.  Fittingly, Mario and the Say Hey Kid shared a birthday.

Mario was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Josephine Monterosso, his first wife Joanne Ceccarelli Monterosso, his sister Sandra Middleton and his brother Joseph Monterosso.

He is survived by his loving wife Nancy Monterosso, children Laura Monterosso and her husband Robert Thomas, John Monterosso and his wife Lucie “Barney,” Steve Monterosso and his wife Laura, stepchildren Cherie Slane and her husband Mike, and Michael Rodriguez and his wife Lagille.  Mario was also Nonno to grandchildren Allison, Nicholas, Dante, Giana, Julia, Mackenzie, Lainey, Andrew, Patrick, Catherine, as well as Big Nonno to great grandchildren Leighton, Logan, Collin, and Chandler.  Mario is also survived by his sister Rose and her husband Frank Bisbiglia, sisters-in-law Annette (Bob-deceased), Linda (Allan), and Jeannie (Gary),

Mario’s family is filled with gratitude for the loving care and support he received in the last years of his life from many special people, most importantly the Aquino family, Helen, Dario, and Juanita.

In recognition of the care and support they provided during Mario’s final days, the family requests donations to By the Bay Hospice.

Burial at the Italian Cementery was private.

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