James Joseph Montagnese, 89 passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, May 17, 2012,with his wife and son at his side, due to complications from Alzheimer's. Jim was born in Gypsum,Ohio June 13,1922. He was the third of five children born to Rocco and Carmela Montagnese, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1920. His parents, sisters Teresa Naro and Rosemary Fisher and brothers Anthony, Frank, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose Mary Montagnese, son Rocco Montagnese, daughter Carmela Torres, son-in-law Adam Torres, grandchildren Britney and Adam II and great granddaughter, Makenzie Jim...
James Joseph Montagnese, 89 passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, May 17, 2012,with his wife and son at his side, due to complications from Alzheimer's. Jim was born in Gypsum,Ohio June 13,1922. He was the third of five children born to Rocco and Carmela Montagnese, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1920. His parents, sisters Teresa Naro and Rosemary Fisher and brothers Anthony, Frank, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose Mary Montagnese, son Rocco Montagnese, daughter Carmela Torres, son-in-law Adam Torres, grandchildren Britney and Adam II and great granddaughter, Makenzie
Jim graduated from Elyria High School in Ohio in 1940 then served in the United States Air Force from 1942-1945 as a Technical Sergeant in the 3036th Army Air Forces Base Unit. Some of his campaigns included Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Air offensive Europe.He earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with one silver star and one bronze star and good conduct Medal Distinguished Unit with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.
He married the love of his life on June 22, 1946 and moved to California in 1947 where he worked for the 7 Up Bottling Company for 15 years. He then become a stockbroker and ultimately retired from Paine Webber in 1992. He was a resident of the Inland Empire for more than sixty years.
His second greatest love was music. He played the guitar from the time he was a small boy until he was well into his 80's. At age 13 he and his two brothers Tony and Frank traveled by train from Ohio to New York city to play at the worlds fair, winning an award of merit for his musical ability. Fontana was the first stop for Jim and Rose, where he was President of the Fontana Theater Guilde. In 1973 with his wife Rose and two children Carmela and Rocco, Grand Terrace became their home.Jim was a member of the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce, where he and other members were active in Grand Terrace becoming its own city. He was a member of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, singing and playing his guitar in the choir.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Grand Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association.
By phone: 1-800-272-3900
By web: www.alz.org
By mail: Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 2009-6011