Montera’s celebrate 70th wedding anniversary
Ralph and Josephine Montera celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on April 21, 2010. They married in Pueblo, Colorado at Mt Carmel Cathedral in 1940. Ralph talks about how they met at a political rally at the Pueblo City Hall in 1938. He can still remember what she was wearing and how her hair was set.
Ralph and Josephine started on their life’s journey dreaming of owning a business. In 1945, they rented a building on Fairview Ave. and ran a grocery store. One year later in 1946, they purchased property and opened Ralph’s Grocery Store which they ran and operated until 1979.
In 1979, they sold their business, retired to California joining their only daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Nick Arico in Rancho Palos Verdes. The Aricos have been Rancho Palos Verdes residents for 47 years.
The Monteras are proud grandparents and grandparents-in-law to Gina Arico-Smith and Red Smith of Moraga, CA, Cheryl Arico Barbarino and Sebastian Barbarino of Porter Ranch, CA and Nick Arico and Julie Sorgi Arico of Rolling Hiss Estates.
The Moneras have nine wonderful great-grandchildren ages 8-18; Dustin, Alexa, Grant and Brett Smith; Nicholas and Gabriella Barbarino; and Natalie, Michael and Lukas Arico.
Often asked what is their secret to success, their answer is always the same, Josephine would reply “Don’t forget to kiss me good-night” and Ralph would say “never say no to your wife.”
Eight year old Lukas Arico was asked what he thought about 70 years of marriage. “That’s a long time, they take care of each other and they always hold hands.”
Sixteen year old Alexa Smith once said of her great grandparents, “Love is Jo-Jo and Papa Ralph….It’s not what they say, but what they do.”
Throughout the years the Monteras have traveled and enjoyed doing things always together and being with their family and friends. They are an inspiration and guiding light for their family. PEN