Samuel "Harpo" De Monte

Samuel "Harpo" De Monte

Samuel "Harpo" De Monte, 91, from Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Erie, died on Saturday, November 20, 2010 after suffering a fall and surgery.

He was born in Erie on September 28, 1919, son of the late Anthony and Vincenie Cappizzi De Monte. He served in the United States Army and was an avid golfer. He was employed in the gaming industry in Las Vegas, first at the Fremont Hotel in downtown Vegas, then moving onto the strip and spending most of his years at Caesar's Palace as a baccarat dealer. He was most dashing in his tuxedo.

In his later years, he shared time between his home in Walnut Creek, California and Las Vegas with Fran Navone, his loving companion of 30 years.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Angelina Mastrian and Fifi Matz; two brothers, James and Tony DeMonte; a nephew, Louis Matz; a niece, Beverly Manucci; and a great niece, Carli Cummings.

Survivors include his daughter, Debra Gordy (husband Paul) and grandson, Nicholas Taylor of Houston, Texas; devoted nephew, Tony Matz of Las Vegas (wife Arlene); nephews, James DeMonte, Jr. (wife Karyl) of Chicago, Illinois; Dan Manucci of Erie; nieces Irene Matz of Cypress, California; Virginia De Monte of Erie; great nieces Michele Cummings (husband Jimmy) of Erie; Rachel and Veronica Matz of Las Vegas; Jimie Khristine DeMonte of Chicago; great nephews, Jeff Manucci of Erie; Lou Matz (wife Michelle), Stu Matz (wife Holly) and Scott Matz of California.

Although most of his life was lived in Las Vegas, he always thought of Erie as home evidenced by his desire to be buried beneath the earth that he loved. He annually visited Erie until he was unable to travel sharing wonderful, close relationships with his Erie friends and never losing that connection of the hearts.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Sunday evening from 6 to 9 pm and many attend a Funeral Mass on Monday at Sacred Heart RC Church, 816 West 26th Street, at 10:30 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.