Montague, Howard P.

 

 

 

 

Howard “Howie” P. Montague

United States Navy

1944 — 1946
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Montague was born in Hudson, New York on March 27, 1926, to Lolita and William Montague.  A lifelong resident of Philmont, he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 after his brother, Ronald, USMC, was killed by a sniper on Iwo Jima.

Howie married his high school sweetheart, Verna Boyles, on September 25, 1944, while on leave.  Three days later Howie boarded a train in Hudson and returned to the Norfolk Naval Base.

He proudly served his country in the Pacific as an electrician’s mate aboard the USS Jesse Rutherford, a destroyer escort from 1944 to 1946.

After the war, Howie joined his family’s business Montague Oil Company.  He worked hard to make the business a success and served as its President for many years.  He also founded a school bus business, Howard P. Montague, Inc.

He and Verna had seven children, 17 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and 65 happy years of marriage.

Howie was active in his church, Sacred Heart Parish.  He was a member and past President (chief) of the American Legion Post, Mellenville Fire Department and the Philmont Rotary Club.  He was the youngest member ever of the Ockawamick School Board.

Howie and Verna loved to travel and crossed the country with their children pulling a travel trailer behind them.  Later in life they traveled to Ireland, New Orleans, California and more.

Howie died June 25, 2010.