Marcus John Serafino Monaco

Marcus John Serafino Monaco was born in Valhalla, NY on June 12th, 2008. He showed us every day his fierce determination and strength.  While he fought valiantly, after a long bout, he succumbed to cancer on August 24th, 2022.

Marcus lived his life with a rare genetic disease, Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), that progressively took away muscle and motor coordination and weakened his body, but he never let A-T define him.  He was a smart and funny 14-year-old boy who filled this world with laughter despite life’s challenges. Marcus’s love of food was legendary. Whether sushi, a NY bagel and lox, a T-bone steak to a good Italian ziti with meatballs, he took pleasure in a good meal and time with friends and family.  

Our ongoing admiration and love only grew as he persevered and overcame each new challenge, pushing himself to do all the things many of us take for granted. 

Whether walking a few steps; playing with friends; talking with family; getting that slice of pizza from the plate to his lips; singing along to his favorite song; finishing school projects; adaptive skiing and skateboarding he filled us with wonder, awe and respect.  Every day was a true accomplishment, and nothing made us and him prouder than taking the stage in his power wheelchair on June 22nd, 2022 to graduate 8th grade from the Henry Viscardi School, and with distinction in English.  

Marcus, you are forever our hero.  We honor you; your courage; your unwavering spirit; your capacity to laugh; your capacity to live life!!!

Marcus, you made us better parents; better friends; better family; better human beings. Your simple phrase “you’ve got this” continues to inspire and comfort us. We hold you forever in our hearts!!!

Marcus is now in Heaven, running, laughing, free from pain and physical encumbrance.

He is survived by his mother, Jane Wakefield, his father, Prisco Monaco, his brother Anthony Monaco, his sister Caitlin Monaco, his nephew Tommy, his Grammy Judith Lippert Walker and Grandpa Donald Walker.

A gathering to celebrate Marcus’s life will be Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 9 to 10:30 AM, in the chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the A-T Children's Project (driving innovative research and advancing efforts to find a cure for A-T) or The Viscardi Center – Direct Gift to Henry Viscardi School Program (an accredited model school that offers parents of children with severe physical disabilities a traditional educational setting that provides rigorous academics and opportunities).

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