Obituary of John W Montgomery

OBITUARY FOR JOHN W MONTGOMERY We are saddened and disheartened to announce the passing of my dad, John Montgomery. After a year and a half battle with cancer, he passed on January 18, 2021 at the age of 66, surrounded by his family at Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital in New York City. It was his wish to be brought home should this time ever come, but that wasn’t possible. So, as my brother put it, “We brought home to you, Dad”. John grew up in a family of four children. He was born in Glen Ridge and spent his childhood living in Montclair. He was the third child and had been a presumed stillbirth in utero. However, God had bigger plans for John. He was born alive and well two months premature on February 8, 1954. John’s family moved to New Hampshire for a few years in his early teen years and came back to settle in Califon, NJ where he graduated in 1972 from North Hunterdon Regional High School. John met his wife, Kathy (McGuinness) Montgomery, in 1979 and they moved to Clinton, NJ. It was here that they were married on May 7, 1983 and soon after gave birth to their first child, a daughter. Upon the expectation of their second child, a son, they moved to New Village, NJ where they spent over three decades building their lives together. For over 25 years, John was self-employed as a contractor. He contracted out primarily to Sprint for work on their buildings, but he often took side jobs and was always willing to lend a hand to friends and family who needed his skill set. In the last decade, John worked in the Facilities Department for Unity Bank. Here he was in charge of maintaining all of the bank buildings in his area and handled various facility accounts. John was innovative and creative and could do just about anything - a true Jack of All Trades - and his generosity was always appreciated by those around him. He would help anyone, friend or stranger, in whatever way he could. John was a respected member of the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church for many years and also volunteered with the cub scouts and boy scouts. He was always available for his wife, children, and grandchildren’s events and celebrations. In addition to John’s many capabilities in maintenance, design, and construction, John had quite the talent for cooking. He made amazing meals and was well known for being the grill master at picnics and parties. John loved the outdoors, whether camping in his younger days, having a backyard fire, or spending time in the pool. He appreciated nature - a calming rain storm, the way the wind moved the leaves, watching birds fly together. John especially loved the beach. He enjoyed riding the waves, walking the shore looking for small treasures, or just laying in the sun. He liked to walk out on the inlet to watch the boats come in from the sea. While John was very capable of fixing just about anything, he also was a teacher. He included anyone who was willing to learn in the processes he would take. He would walk his grown children through solving problems in their homes, but was right there to come over if more help was needed. He would show his grandchildren what he was working on, let them use the tools their little hands could master, or ride with them on the lawn mower. He had patience in abundance, but it was love that allowed him to do all these things for others. John was not a man of many words, but he didn’t need them. He showed his love through his actions, which made the words he did choose to use that much more meaningful. John loved his family and was proud of each and every one of them. John’s mother and father, June and William Montgomery passed on well before John and he is together with them again, as well as his niece Dominique Krasow and his brother-in-law Steve McGuinness. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kathy Montgomery, his daughter, Lindsey (Montgomery) Culcasi, and his son and daughter-in-law Brian and Marlaina Montgomery; three grandsons, Noah Culcasi and Evan and Owen Montgomery, and two granddaughters, Lillian Culcasi and Emerson Montgomery; his sister Janet Montgomery, his sister and brother-in-law Sandi and Bob Eisele, his brother and sister-in-law Dave and Karen Montgomery, and his sister-in-law, Annie McGuinness; as well as 7 nieces, 2 nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. John was a peaceful man and emanated serenity. He always said “If I die tomorrow, I’ve lived a good life” and I believe that he truly meant that. He was not a man rich with riches, but he was definitely a man rich with love - both love from others and love for others and the world in which he lived. He will be forever loved and missed just as long. We love you, Daddy. A private service for John will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, the service is limited in size. However, we will be live streaming the service via Zoom for any who wish to virtually attend. You can attend the service here: https://zoom.us/j/94418910396?pwd=WlQwMHByZHZUMy9sTFpQaThEMkRvdz09 or by using Meeting ID 944 1891 0396 with Password 08886. We will be holding a Celebration of Life for John at a date to be determined this summer. All are welcome to come remember and celebrate the life of John Montgomery at that time. We would like to thank Richard Maguire and Warren Hills Memorial Home for handling the arrangements for John and Pastor Stephen Choi and Stewartsville Presbyterian Church for providing the final service as well as the countless doctors and nurses at Memorial Sloan Kettering who did their very best to give my dad his very best chance. Obituary lovingly written by Lindsey Culcasi