Ralph James Monaco

A long-time Harford County resident, Ralph J. Monaco, passed away on June 18, 2024. Born in 1936 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Ralph Monaco Sr. and Agnes Monaco, he spent most of his formative years in Flushing, Queens.

Ralph always appreciated how lucky he was to have grown up with family as an integral part of his upbringing, including frequent outings with numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and loving grandparents. Ralph spent much of his time with his two brothers, Richard and Robert, playing sports and fishing with their father in the Atlantic Ocean or Long Island Sound. 

Drawing on the hard-working examples set by his family, Ralph started his own newspaper route at age 10 and worked at a grocery store during high school. He was an active athlete, playing varsity baseball in a police athletic league.

After graduating from Flushing High School in 1954, he began his insurance career in Manhattan, working for the Northern Assurance Company Ltd. He attended evening classes at the City College of New York while working toward his certification as a certified casualty and property underwriter. 

He married his childhood sweetheart Louise Leo in 1958, with whom he raised three wonderful children Susan, Steven, and Carol, who subsequently blessed he and Louise with six terrific grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Louise Monaco, nee Leo, his children Susan (John) Hagis, Steve Monaco, and Carol (Fernando) Barr, brothers Robert Monaco and the late Richard (Janice) Monaco, nephews, Kenneth, Andrew and Gregory, and grandchildren, Lauren Monaco, Michael Hagis, Dylan Powers, Caroline Monaco, Leyla Monaco, and Lara Monaco.

His business career spanned 50+ years. From 1955 to 1976, Ralph worked for several large insurance companies as an underwriter, marketing professional, and senior executive. He and his family lived in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts and Maryland.

In 1976 he joined Hallmark Insurance Inc. as a partner, joining several respected insurance professionals in a Baltimore based brokerage firm engaged in general insurance, financial services, and real estate.

He retired in 2002 after Hallmark was acquired by HMS Insurance Associates. Ralph remained active in retirement, managing several real estate investments and serving as an expert consultant for attorneys and the American Institute for Property and Casualty Underwriters.

He also served as the president of the Insurance Society of Baltimore until his final retirement in 2007. Ralph was also proud of his membership in other professional and charitable endeavors, including as president of the Baltimore Association of Insurance Agents and Brokers, the Maryland chapter of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters and the Rotary Club of Elkridge Maryland.

Ralph and wife, Louise, were proud founders of the Monaco Family Scholarship Fund for nursing students at Harford Community College. 

Reflecting on his many professional accomplishments, Ralph always credited his wife for supporting and encouraging him, even during numerous moves.

An active volunteer during his entire life, Ralph worked with the Cub Scouts of America, the National Park service, Little League baseball, Habitat for Humanity, the Harford Glen Environmental Center, and Rotary International.

Ralph remained active until his final days, enjoying hiking, sports, and sailing. An avid tennis player, he was a mainstay at the Harford Tennis Club and Harford Glen, which he treasured with children and grandchildren.

Ralph asked his wife to end his obituary with emphasis on his greatest accomplishment: his family, in whom he took great pride and satisfaction as they carried on the Monaco family traditions of hard work, devotion to family, and love of the outdoors.

Contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity in the name of Ralph J. Monaco at 322 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 13, 2024 in Jarrettsville, Md. Please see below for details.