Ralph J. Montera

Ralph Joseph Montera was born in Pueblo, Colorado on January 3, 1918 to Catherine and Frank Montera. He was the second of five children. He attended Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado and while he lived in Pueblo would often attend the high school football games to root for his alma mater.

Ralph married the love of his life, Josephine on April 21, 1940. They were married 75 wonderful years. No matter what he was doing, Ralph was always looking for his JoJo.

Ralph worked for several years at CF&I Steel Mill as a steelworker in the open hearth melting steel. At the time, he dreamed of owning his own business. With a little encouragement from his wife, he decided to rent a building and open a grocery store. One year later in 1946, Ralph and Josephine purchased a building and opened Ralph's Grocery. Ralph taught himself to cut meat in order to run the meat counter in his store. This local mom and pop grocery store was famous in Pueblo for Ralph's homemade Italian sausage, Dutch Lunch cold cut platters and "Godfather" juice sandwich sauce. Ralph's Grocery endured as a beloved spot for the local East Evans neighborhood in Pueblo for over 35 years.

Ralph and Josephine moved to California in 1979 to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Nick Arico and their grandchildren. Instead of retiring, Ralph was soon working at the fish counter of Hughes Market in Rancho Palos Verdes serving a new community with his special brand of personal service and expertise.

Ralph enjoyed spending time with his extended family in both California and Colorado. They spent time after retiring traveling abroad, visiting relatives and enjoying their grandchild and great grandchildren.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Josephine, daughter and son-in-law Charlene and Nick Arico, 3 grandchildren, Gina and Red Smith, Cheryl Barbarino, Nick and Julie Arico, and 9 great grandchildren, Dustin, Alexa, Grant and Brett Smith, Nicholas and Gabriella Barbarino, Natalie, Michael and Lucas Arico and his nieces, nephews.

Ralph is preceded in death by his infant daughter, parents and siblings.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275