Gerald Ronald Montague

Gerald Ronald Montague, 93, of Massillon, passed away on March 14, 2025 at home with his family at his side.

He was born on October 4, 1931 to the late Ronald and Margaret (Zurbrugg) Montague in Alliance, OH.

Jerry was a 1949 graduate of Alliance High School and received his associate’s degree in business from Stark State University in 1985. He was a veteran of The United States Army serving during the Korean War. He worked as a Master Plasterer and Ceramic Tile Setter. Some of his craftsmanship still exist at Washington High City School Pool, Canton Baptist Temple, Mercy Hospital, and several local high schools. He also owned and operated the Hospitality Health Center 1972 to 1980 in Massillon and Bel Air Nursing Home in Alliance 1964 to 1970, with his wife Mary. He also built homes in the Massillon area and worked as a Real Estate Agent. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, St. Joseph's. He was a former member of the Perry Rotary Club. He was instrumental in starting the food pantry at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where he served with RCIA, CCD and a Eucharistic minister. He served on the bereavement committee at St. Barbara's Catholic Church.

Jerry dedicated his life to making people’s lives better. Putting others first came naturally from his heart, his core, his soul. People’s first thought of a heart is the beating muscle in your chest. Jerry’s spiritual heart was the undeniable force that led him to help others. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selflessness, Honor, Integrity, and Courage is the bedrock for the way he lived his life. Same as his physical heart, Jerry’s spiritual heart needed care. This spiritual care came from his devotion to his wife Mary, family and faith. These ingredients provided enough Love, Joy, Peace, Strength and Tranquility for a lifetime of giving. His spiritual heart is as rugged and picturesque as the Grand Canyon, as vast as the stars in the sky, as calm as ocean waves lapping a sandy beach. Jerry made someone’s life better every day, even if he did not realize it. There is a TedTalk online called “Lolli Pop Moment” by Drew Dudley. During this video, Drew speaks of how he had a positive impact on someone’s life without knowing it until years later. During the video this is called a “Lolli Pop Moment”. There is no telling how many Lolli Pop Moments Jerry had in his life. How many times he made someone’s life better without even knowing it, but we know they filled his spiritual heart.

If you never met Jerry and got in an elevator with him and got off a few floors later, he probably made your life better that day. This just was who he was.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary E. (Gatts) Montague; their children, Mary (Mark) Botchvaroff, Kathy (Flek) Stoehr, Joni L. McCormick, Gerald T. (Barbara) Montague, Mark (Vickie) Montague, and Jeff Montague; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Montague; and his brother, Daryl Montague.

A special Thank You to Crossroads Hospice.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, Massillon, Ohio, with a memorial service to start at 1:00 pm with Fr. John Sheridan, officiating. Inurnment will follow at Brookfield Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

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