Albert W. Montagano, age 84 of Brockton, died Saturday April 27, 2013 after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Karen L. (Snell) Montagano for 25 years. Al was born and raised in Brockton a loving son of the late Pardo and Louise (Plate) Montagano and lived in Brockton most of his life. Following graduation from Brockton High School in 1947, he enlisted in the US Army and served as a military policeman during the Korean Conflict. Al furthered his education and earned his Associate Degree from Massasoit Community College in 1970, his Bachelor Degree in Human Services from the University of New Hampshire and Master Degree in Criminal Justice from Ana Marie College.
Before Al was appointed to the Brockton Police Department Reserves in 1958 he had worked at the Hingham Arsenal and Hayden’s Liquor Store. In 1960 he was permanently appointed to the Brockton Police Department and worked his way up from beat patrolman, cruiser officer, detective bureau, internal affairs, traffic division and commanding officer to being appointed Lieutenant in 1976. In 1987 he suffered a disabling heart attack and officially retired in January 1989 after 31 years of service. Al took pride in being a member of the first police honor guard established under Chief Joseph C. Wright in 1960. While a detective, he was the evidence officer who found the gun used in the shooting of Officer John Zinkevich during an armed robbery of the Western Union Office. His testimony was instrumental in securing a guilty verdict.
In his retirement, Al enjoyed winters in Naples, Florida for 22 years and worked in security of the Boston Red Sox spring training during the first 5 years of the opening of the City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers, Florida. He had also worked 17 years for Great Elm Florist and the Conley Funeral Home.
Al had been very active in the community and devoted much of his time to various organizations including Brockton Lodge of the Elks where he was a member and Leader of Boy Scout Troop 164, Seville Council of the Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree Knight and St. Margaret Church and its Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Mass Police Association and Brockton Police Relief Association, the Retired Brockton Police and Firefighter Association, the State and Municipal Retirees Association, the American Legion Post 35 where he served as chaplain, and ITAM. Al was also a trustee of the Brockton War Memorial Building.
Al considered John Wayne a true American being true to God, family and country and over the years collected over 150 John Wayne films. He was an avid Red Sox fan, fisherman, gardener and reader and will be fondly remembered as a doting grandfather.
Al was the dedicated father of Sgt. Pardo A. Montagano (Mass State Police) and his wife Grace of Bridgewater, Sgt. Peter Montagano(Mass State Police) and his wife Paula of Wakefield and Lisa McElaney and her husband Joseph of Draper, UT and step father of Kristine Cuneo and her husband David of Mansfield, John Alves, Jr. of Taunton and Melanie DeJesus and her husband Antonio of Fall River. He was the brother of John Montagano and his wife Patricia of Raynham, Anna D’Amico of Marlboro and the late Michael Montagano. Al was the doting grandfather of Kallie and Kyle (his wife Emily) and Stephanie Montagano; Peter, Timothy and Katherine McElaney and Alexandra, Ashley, and Jake Cuneo. He was the former husband of the late Marion (MacFaun) Montagano and leaves several cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Tuesday 5-9 pm. The procession will gather at the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30 am followed by a funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 10:30 am. Burial with military honors in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Please consider donations in Al’s name to the Chrystine M. Sullivan Cancer Foundation PO Box 762, Hanover, MA 02330.