Remembering
Daisy Monzo
AUGUST 18, 1926 - MARCH 23, 2018 (AGE 91)
As owner and C.E.O of the former and legendary Al Monzo’s Palace Inn Hotel/Convention Center in Monroeville, PA, Daisy Monzo personifies the great Italian traits of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, accomplishment and total commitment to family. From exceedingly humble beginnings as a child of the Depression Era, Daisy Monzo’s committed hard-fought battle through life and eventual well-earned success and recognition was shaped by the devoted love of her parents, who themselves had to sacrifice all in support of eight children.
At 20 years of age, she met her husband to be Al Monzo. It was eight years and three children later, that Al Monzo Construction Company was founded, and so did the start of a legacy.
While the business successes continued to mount in the contracting business, with Daisy Monzo playing a key role, the couple’s lifelong dream to build their own upscale hotel began to take hold.
In 1957, Al and Daisy Monzo purchased what was then a 13-acre hole in the ground at the corner of Routes 22 and 48 in Monroeville, which would be the eventual home of Al Monzo’s Palace Inn Hotel preceded by Al Monzo’s Howard Johnson’s. Since its opening as a Howard Johnson’s later renamed the Al Monzo’s Palace Inn, the hotel had become a focal point lodging, convention and entertainment complex for over 30 years in Pittsburgh.
Mrs. Daisy Monzo who lost her beloved husband Al Monzo in the year 2000 continue along with her daughter, Michelle Monzo and future son-in-law Mark A. Regan, to oversee multiple business operations, one being the Landmark Hotel until its closure in 2004.
Daisy Monzo is survived by her adoring, supportive and committed daughter, Michelle Monzo; son-in-law and companion, Mark A. Regan; brothers, John (Ilene), Robert (Sandra); multiple nieces and nephews.
Motorists who complain when they have a tire to change or flat to fix should keep this picture in mind. If you think you have troubles, think of what Al Monzo of Monzo Construction Co. has to go through to change the tracks on a grading tractor. That is a three and a half inch wrench he is using to loosen the tracks. Later, a team shovel bucket is used to lift the old tracks off and lift the new ones in place. Time of operation - five hours, if all goes well.
To say Micki Monzo gets whatever she wants might be a bit harsh.
But even Micki admits she's a little spoiled.
Most 19-year-olds, after all, are content with a car that doesn't need a tuneup every month. But Micki has a $250,000 jet helicopter at her fingertips.
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Call him the battler.
Authority has never much impressed Al Monzo.
If you want to earn his respect, give him a good fight. Knock him down, gouge him a bit, trade punches toe to toe. Then shake his hand...
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By Monica L. Haynes (Post-Gazette Staff Writer)
When Al Monzo was a little boy, he used to beg his parents for a nickel to buy cheese or ice cream at the neighborhood store.
But Italian children like Monzo weren't welcomed in the predominently Polish West Wilmerding section of North Versailles, and he frequently was beaten up on his trips to the store.
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Al Monzo didn’t play by anyone else’s rules.
When Mr. Monzo wanted to build something, he just went ahead and did it, not bothering with such trivialities as building permits. When he thought a tax was unfair, he didn’t pay it. He spent much of his half-century as a contractor/developer fighting officials in various levels of government.
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