Robert Monastero, a long-time resident of Fort Myers, Florida died peacefully on Saturday, June 18, 2022. He was born on November 24, 1940 to the late Samuel and Emily (DeDominic) Monastero in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Julia Bailey Monastero of Fort Myers, FL; two children, R Perry Monastero (Estuardo Orozco) of Philadelphia, PA, and Amy Lea Monastero (Michele Rife) of Fort Myers, FL, along with many adored nieces, nephews, cousins, and surrogate grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Michael (Mickey) and William (Bill). 

A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Saviour Church (407 E. Main Street, Norristown, PA) on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Burial Ceremony at St. Patrick's Cemetery (DeKalb Pike, Norristown, PA) at 11:15 a.m. followed by a reception at 12:30 p.m. at Westover Golf Club (Schuylkill Avenue, Norristown, PA).

Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Robert’s memory to Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Florida (https://rmhcswfl.org/)  where Robert was a longstanding, committed volunteer chef who cooked meals for temporary family residents of the children’s cancer center.

Robert grew up near Elmwood Park in Norristown, Pennsylvania and was a competitive cross-country runner and wrestler. He and his friends launched a successful Italian water ice business in their late teens, and he worked many labor jobs includes ones in a steel factory, iron works, and masonry company while going to college. Robert competed nationally in Division I wrestling, winning championships and maintaining records at Drexel University. During his junior year abroad, he attended University of Madrid where he met his future wife, Julia K. Bailey. He graduated at La Salle University and a month later, Robert and Julia wed.

In his late twenties, he joined Xerox Corporation in sales, rising to regional manager living in central Pennsylvania. In his early forties, he completed his master's degree from the Cornell University/Baruch College program in industrial and labor relations while serving in a senior management role in human resources at Xerox’s headquarters in Rochester, New York, as well as Stamford, Connecticut. When he reached the executive management team level at Xerox in the role of information management human resources director, he was often quoted by magazines such as Computer World and CIO. He was charged with diversifying staff, coordinating a merger with EDS, and co-leading the effort to prepare Xerox for the Y2K transition on New Year’s Eve in 1999 after which he retired at 59 after 32 years of service.

Robert was an avid golfer, world traveler, talented gourmet chef, and doting Godfather to family members and children of family friends. In his 60s, he took up biking and throughout his life he went on multiple outdoor camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and mountaineering adventures. He was a wine expert who reestablished family ties with living relatives in Sicily and the Abruzzo region of Italy. He was fluent in Spanish which he used for travel, work, and with friends and family.

He will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. 

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