Since the early 1970s, Monty Montague of TeeVax Appliance was a force behind Railroad Square’s rebirth. He was also an enthusiatic aficionado of Bocce and Petanque. In fact, Monty joined us at our first West End Bocce Nights in the late 1990s- to help us learn how to play. He also attended our West End Neighborhood Association meetings. Farewell Monty, you will be missed but you will be remembered.
The Montague Family has said their farewell to their beloved patriarch and invites you to celebrate his life on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the Church of One Tree, Juilliard Park between Noon and 3:00pm.
Richard Edward “Monty” Montague
Passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday February 27 with his family by his side at 93 years old. Monty was the loving and dedicated husband for 72 years to
his wife Ruth. He leaves behind their five children – Edward, Sandra, Michael, Patrick and Ann Montague-Tremblay. He is survived by his two daughters-in-laws, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Monty was born on February 11, 1918 in Oakland, Ca. the last of five children to Anne (Saint Martin) and Samuel Montague. He attended Saint Anthony’s Catholic School, Oakland High School and graduated from Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley.
Monty and Ruth were married on January 1, 1939. Monty was a veteran of the US Army Signal Corps where he ran the field communication school. In 1949 the family moved to Santa Rosa where they began their family business Monty’s Home Service now TeeVax Home Appliance & Kitchen Center by purchasing 3 ABC Omatic washing machines. They kept one, sold the second to a relative and sold the third from their front porch. The first large contract Monty fulfilled was with the State of California.
He drilled many fence post-holes along Hwy 101 back in 1949. This gave Monty & Ruth the needed capital to get the appliance business going.
Monty was active in the Boy Scouts of America as a leadership partner for Troop 53. He volunteered with repairs and upgrading at Camp Noyo and Camp Navarro. Monty was active with the Knights of Columbus in Santa Rosa. Around 1955 Monty joined the Tomales Sailing Club which later became Santa Rosa Sailing Club. He served as commodore and also helped organize the annual Labor Day Regatta at Marshall Beach, Tomales Bay. Monty participated in the construction of the original boat house at Lake Ralphine and taught sailing lessons in the early years. He passed his love of sailing to his 3 sons, Ed, Mike and Pat.
After Monty moved the family business to lower 4th St in 1973, he was instrumental in the formation of the Historic Railroad Square Association and worked with the city of Santa Rosa on the area improvement plan. He restored the historic Lee Brothers 1906 building at 100 4th Street to replicate the originally design. This building was the first to be rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake in Santa Rosa which was leveled to the ground. Today, TeeVax is located at 422 Wilson Street which Monty purchased the rundown warehouse & bar building in 1984 then had it restored to what it is today.
In 1997 Monty received the prestigious merit award from the city of Santa Rosa for community service and for neighborhood enrichment in 2004.
Monty enjoyed gardening throughout his life especially establishing roses. In years past when he was doing service calls and saw a rose he liked, he received permission to take a clipping and grew a rose bush at home for Ruth to enjoy. The variety of colors and scents was endless. He also loved to play Bocce ball and with the help of the city built four Bocce courts in Juilliard Park. A good day for Monty was on the Bocce court showing the children how to play the game he loved.
All are invited to celebrate Monty’s life, Sunday March 6 at the Church of One Tree in Juilliard Park from 12:00 to 3:00 with food, stories and photos. A Bocce tournament and demonstration will be scheduled at a later date in his memory. Monty would have loved this celebration in sharing the many elements of his life and introducing the game of Bocce to his many friends.
Monty has lived a full life traveling the world with friends and family and will be missed by all.
Monty helped us establish the original West End Bocce Nights in the late 1990s
Monty gives bocce instruction at DeMeo Park
Monty and his family at a Railroad Square Event
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