Ernest Roy DelMonico of New Haven died peacefully at home on August 29, 2018 with his family by his side. Ern was born in New Haven on July 14, 1939 to the late Joseph and Anna DeFrancesco DelMonico. Ern graduated from North Haven High School and attended Brown University before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Quinnipiac University.
He joined Second National Bank after college, before active duty with the U.S. Army and an assignment to the Connecticut National Guard. He rose to the level of Vice President at the Bank, but rather than spend his career there, he decided to strike out on his own. He became a serial entrepreneur, starting, growing, and selling multiple computer banking companies throughout his professional life, including Bankputer, Data Control Group, and Financial Interactive Systems.
He also developed commercial and residential real estate properties in New Haven, among them the first commercial condominiums in the city (the Imperium Granum-Joseph Parker Buildings, also known collectively as the DelMonico Building, which boasts one of the city’s last remaining cast iron facades and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and the first residential building (Traders Block) to be rehabilitated as part of the city’s Ninth Square redevelopment project. When his father died in 2001, Ern took over the family hat business as the third-generation owner, using his technology expertise to expand the brick-and-mortar store with an online presence. Under his leadership, DelMonico Hatter, now in its 110th year, a small store in a small town, has grown to be one of the top-selling hat businesses in the United States.
Ern won numerous industry awards, including national Hat Retailer of the Year in 2007, and was recognized by Business New Haven as Small Businessperson of the Year in 2008-2009. Ern enjoyed traveling, biking, tennis, theater, opera and classical music, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Janet Burns DelMonico; his three children, Mary DelMonico (Will Washburn), Bruce DelMonico (Jennifer), and Benjamin DelMonico; his sisters Joanne Potter and Robbe Brook; and his six grandchildren, Electra, Calista, Esme, Emerson, Sophie, and Tommy.
Relatives and friends may visit with the DelMonico Family on Friday September 7th from 5-7pm in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday September 8th at 10am in St. Michael Church, 29 Wooster Place, New Haven. A reception will follow the Mass at the New Haven Lawn Club, 193 Whitney Ave.
, New Haven. Burial will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at giving.
mskcc.com, or The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, www. cfgnh.org/IncreasingGiving/DonateOnline. aspx (Ernest R. and Janet B. DelMonico Family Fund).
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