Sea Isle Loses the Beloved Matriarch of the Mike’s Seafood Family

Mary Monichetti, the mother of Mike's Seafood owner Mike Monichetti and one of Sea Isle City's best-known personalities has died.

Mary Monichetti is being described in a Facebook post from Mike's Seafood as the family matriarch and remembered as "a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.

We mourn her passing but rejoice in knowing that she is now at peace with her loving husband Mike, both resting in the arms of our Lord."

Mike, Sr., and Mary Monichetti were the second-generation owners of Mike's Seafood. Mary was formerly Mary Sannino of Sannino’s Fish Market, once a well-established business in South Philly and on 43rd Street in Sea Isle.

According to the family's history on the Mike's Seafood website, the business was founded in 1911 after Mike, Sr.'s parents Lodovico (Dewey) and Rosina made the brave decision to leave their native land, the island of Ischia, off the coast of Naples, Italy.

They set out on a journey “in a rickety old ship that leaked and could barely stay afloat,” according to Mike Seafood’s website, “for a new and better life in America.”

After surviving the journey and stressful processing on Ellis Island, there was another important matter ahead. The couple needed to find a place to settle and to chase the American dream.

When Lodovico and Rosina went up to the window to purchase train tickets, this was another difficult time because the Monachetti could not speak English.

When the ticket master asked them what destination, it was at this time he realized the Monachetti could not understand him or English. The ticket master, now with hand gestures, asked "North or South?" With south being the second word he said, Lodovico and Rosina then looked at each other and replied at the same time, "South!"

 

Mike Monichetti, who owns Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant today, and Rosemary Deery, are siblings. Rosemary's daughter, Mary Beth Treston Hagan wrote in the Sea Isle Times how she fondly remembers summers spent living at her maternal grandmother Mary’s house in the early 1990s.

"Grandmom’s house was then connected to Mike’s Seafood store, Mary Beth explains. Their Uncle Mike needed help at the new Dock Restaurant. So, her mother packed up their children for Grandmom’s so they could all pitch in and work at the restaurant during the summer season. “We had more fun in those years, working all day in the restaurant and sleeping above the fish store at night,” says Mary Beth."

Hundreds of people have left thoughts and memories of Mary Monichetti on the Facebook message announcing her passing.

So very sad to see this. We spent many good times together through the years and will miss her! God Bless and guide over all the Monichetti’s.

 

We are very sad to hear the passing of our Great Aunt Mary. Our sincere condolences to The whole Monichetti Family May she RIP

 

I am so very sorry for your loss. Mary was such a kind hearted, sweet and loving woman. I always enjoyed seeing her at church meetings and Sunday masses. May she rest in heavenly peace.

We join those leaving their prayers and condolences for the Monichetti family on the passing of Mary Monichetti.