On Thursday August 29, 2024, James Roy Monaco left this world to begin his next great adventure. He passed away peacefully in his home with Maria E, Savannah, and Sage by his side.

Born in Los Angeles in August 1925 to John and Hazel Monaco, he lived a long and blessed life. He entered the Navy when he was 18 and served as a combat firefighter during WWII. During this time, he married and had a daughter, Jean Ann.

His time serving in the South Pacific sparked a lifelong desire for travel and adventure. After his service the Navy, and subsequent divorce, he briefly entered the business world but found his profession as a hairdresser along with his father at the Monaco Beauty Salon. Together he and his father established the Los Angeles Coiffeurs Guild and worked side by side until his father, John’s, death. During his hairdressing career he wrote articles for the LA Times and had a weekly television spot showing the latest hairstyles of the era. He also loved to work creatively with models and frequently organized publicity stunts like filming haircuts while underwater.

He met his wife Maria, a spicy lady from Brazil, through her sister Juturna, a friend and business assistant at the Monaco Beauty Salon. He and Maria were married in 1958 and had two children, John B and Maria E. They lived a long happy life together in the home he built in the Hollywood Hills. They had just celebrated their 66th anniversary on August 17th.

Maria shared his love for travel, and they spent much of their time jet-setting and exploring seldom-trodden corners of the world. While at home in Hollywood, James spent his time with his other love: scuba diving. He was a diver for 50 years and successfully completed over 7000 dives. He completed his last dive at 90 years young.

As a diver, he was a master at catching game. His family was never without fresh fish, lobster, abalone, scallops, and crab. He often combined his love for travel with diving and went around the world seeking the best and most beautiful spots to dive. Always with Maria by his side above water. He often returned with beautiful exotic shells and amassed a large collection from all over the world.

After retiring from his hairdressing career, he entered the real estate business. He actively bought and sold property and built homes around LA. Eventually slowing just enough to move to Washington State to be close to his daughter Maria E and her family.

James had many friends, most much younger than himself. All of whom can confirm that he loved giving advice to anyone who asked. He will be greatly missed by his wife, daughter, grandkids, family, and wonderful friends. May his adventures continue indefinitely…

He requested no service or memorial. Please sign the guest book with your thoughts, stories, and photos.