Frank L. Monzo Jr., 73, of Haddon Township, a businessman, longtime Philadelphia and South Jersey Democratic political leader and volunteer, died Saturday, Oct. 21, of liver disease at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden.
Mr. Monzo became politically active as a teenager when he volunteered with Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1968. He went on to become a local staff member for George McGovern’s 1972 bid for president, campaign manager and special assistant to the U.S. Congressman Tom Foglietta in the 1980s and active in every campaign for former Philadelphia mayor and governor Ed Rendell from 1977 to 2006.
Over three decades, he was a Pennsylvania state commissioner, Philadelphia board member and city chapter president. He and his wife, Mary-Rita D’Alessandro, moved from Philadelphia to Haddon Township in 2002, and he became president of the Haddon Township Democratic Club and municipal co-chair of the township’s Democratic Party.
“No one knew more about local politics on both sides of the Walt Whitman Bridge than Frank,” his family said. tribute. “He believed in civic duty and the power of politics to do good.”
Mr. Monzo also served on the City of Haddon’s Planning and Zoning Board for nearly two decades and impressed neighbors and political supporters with his energy, leadership and strategic success. “Frank’s steady hand and laser focus on winning was testament to his ability to put the party and the organization above any personal gain,” a colleague said. “He was a tough and strategic political competitor.”
His wife said: “He was a natural leader.”
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Monzo founded Kimco Pest Control in Philadelphia in the 1960s. He closed it in 1992 when he became concerned about the chemical’s impact on the environment and reopened as Kimco Green Pest Control in Haddon Township in 2012.
He also worked as a managing director at Computer Methods Corp. based in Marlton from 1985 to 2015 and impressed his colleagues with his business instincts and efficiency. “He could see the big picture and then, with laser-like focus, attend to the smallest details necessary to achieve the goal,” his family said.
Francis Louis Monzo Jr. He was born in Philadelphia on December 22, 1949. He graduated from Bishop Neumann High School and studied journalism for two years at Temple University and business administration and management for two years at Pennsylvania State University. He joined the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at Temple and later served in the Army Reserve.
She married Jean Faust and they had a daughter Kim and a son Frank. After a divorce, she met D’Alessandro on the campaign trail in 1977, and they married in 1985 and lived in Southwest Philadelphia before moving to South Jersey.
Mr. Monzo served as marshal for many Italian-American and New Year’s Day parades on Broad Street, was on the Computer Methods softball team and was active with the Bishop Neumann alumni committee. He amassed vast collections of sports and political memorabilia over the years and treasured Phillies season tickets since 1971.
He was a member of the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity and the Associated Humane Societies. He supported animal rescue efforts and adopted several of his own pets.
“One of the greatest men I’ve ever met,” a friend said to one online tribute. “Caring, compassionate and an awesome mentor,” said another friend. A colleague said, “I would trust Frank Monzo with my life.”
His wife said: βHe had an amazing gift for knowing someone’s character. He touched the lives of so many people. He was outstanding in every way.”
In addition to his wife, children and ex-wife, Mr. Monzo is survived by two grandchildren and other relatives.
The services were held on October 26 and 27.
Donations can be made in his name Animal Rescue Mainline, 1149 Pike Springs Rd., Chester Springs, Pa. 19425; and Voorhees Animal Orphanage419 Cooper Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043.