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With multiple funeral homes spanning the length of Broad Street, Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., 2531-35 S. Broad St., was chosen as the go-to place for funeral home.
“I think it’s our longtime ties to the neighborhood,” co-owner Mark Rago said about winning the top spot. “We’re going into three generations of growing up in South Philly.”
In the same location for over 55 years, the funeral home offers everything from traditional burial and cremations with or without a service. Five years ago, the facility underwent a major remodeling and enlargement, which made the site handicap accessible.
The space is equipped with multiple visitation parlors, a lounge, and casket, vault and urn selection rooms.
When he was just 16-years-old and a sophomore at St. John Neumann High School, Rago started working for founder Samuel Monti, 87, at the suggestion of his school counselor. The now 49-year-old resident of 19th and Jackson streets initially began setting up flowers at the funeral home after school, then decided to attend mortuary school and acquired his license. He has been working with Monti, who remains quite active in the community and business, ever since. The owner’s daughter, Carolyn Monti, is also a licensed funeral director on site and according to Rago the only licensed female funeral director in the area.
“We are honored and we would like to thank everyone who put us on top and who voted for us,” Rago said. “I enjoy what we do, we get to meet a lot of wonderful people here and some people we have dealt with over the years have become my closest friends.”
Vincent Gangemi Funeral Home, Inc. looked solemn in second place, with Pennsylvania Burial Co. plotting a third-place finish.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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