Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Matarese Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc.

325 Main St

Ashland, Massachusetts

Ben Montenegro Obituary

Ben Montenegro, a 61 year resident of Ashland, MA passed away from a period of declining health. The only child of the late Ralph P. and Marguerite (Haskell) Montenegro formally of Upton, MA Ben Montenegro died at the age of 89 years. Ben leaves his wife of 63 years, Betty Jane (Rohn) Montenegro; son R. Paul and wife Joan of Providence, RI; daughter Deborah and husband Don Gillespie of Ashland, MA; son F. Peter and wife Maria of Tolland, CT; son William D. and wife Lauren of Upton, MA and son Benjamin P. Montenegro, Jr. of Framingham, MA. Grandchildren include Maegan Montenegro of Upton, MA; Mike Montenegro and wife McKenna of Ipswich, MA; and Joe Montenegro of Amherst, MA. A native of Framingham, MA Ben Montenegro enlisted in the U.S. Navy his senior year at Framingham High School/Class of 1942 immediately following Pearl Harbor. He served at sea on two destroyers seeing action in both the European and Asian military campaigns until the end of WWII. Montenegro received the Purple Heart for injuries received with the sinking of his first destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea. Mr. Montenegro began his career with Independent Coal Tar Companys regional office in Framingham as the general manager and later founded the Independent Bituminous Co., Inc. formally of Holliston, MA. He later joined the Town of Ashland as the highway surveyor and was later appointed the director of the Department of Public Works in Ashland. Upon his retirement from the Ashland DPW he joined with two friends to establish The OTH Group (Over the Hill Group), a public works consulting company. Ben Montenegro is best known by long time Ashland citizens for his volunteer work in the community. Ben helped to found and manage the Mens Club of Ashland during the 1970s and early 1980s, Ashland Day, and develop and manage the Ashland Emergency Fund. A funeral service will be held Friday, May 17th at 10:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4:00-7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the Montenegro family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Ashland Emergency Fund, PO Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721 indicating that your donation is made in honor of Ben Montenegro. www.mataresefuneral.com

Published by MetroWest Daily News from May 13 to May 14, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ben Montenegro

Not sure what to say?





It was a pleasure working for Ben and I am grateful for all of his support over the years. Ashland will never be the same without him. Thank you Ben... Doug Small

Doug Small

May 19, 2013

We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. We remember Bens laugh when Hak told him of taking his car out for joy rides and we remember Ben with pencil and petition in hand going door to door to make Ashland a better place. Our deepest sympathy. The Hakansson Family

Stephen Hakansson

May 19, 2013

Paul, Debbie & family- Your Dad was a very inspiring man that helped so many people in town and served his country bravely. May the great memories you have of him carry you through. God Bless-
Artie Johnson, Marie Johnson & family

May 17, 2013

Ginny~Rick~Cris & Debbie ~ Peterson

May 16, 2013

To the Montenegro Family,
My condolences on the loss of Ben; he was a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donna (Arnold) Carlson

Donna Carlson

May 15, 2013

I remember my wonderful visits with Ben. I learned so much from him.

Mary Hoch

May 15, 2013

Ben taught so many of us so much... on the sly, without us even realizing the lessons we were learning - or how lucky we were.

Terri and Bruce Evans

May 14, 2013

Paul and family, sorry for your loss. I remember your Dad as a strong supporter of all that is good about Ashland.
Ray Hart

May 14, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Ben was a great guy. He will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Terry Capen

May 14, 2013

To The Montenegro Family,
Please accept our sincere sympathy. Ben was a gentle man. I'll always remember him coming up to CBC for his "hug" fixes. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Roland and Patti Barrett

May 14, 2013

Ben, Although I never knew your Dad I knew of him and know that he will be greatly missed! I am so sorry that he has passed but know that he is in peace. Please accept my condolences and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jan Ewald

May 14, 2013

Ben was a mentor for me I will miss him very much

David Foster

May 14, 2013

Ben,
I am so sorry to learn about your dad.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Aggie Torento

May 14, 2013

Richard Lee Peterson ~ Benny was the best neighbor anybody could ask for ~He was always a Friend and a loyal family man. He will be missed ,His Spirit lives on...My Blessings To B.J. & Paul,Peter,Chip,Debbie,& Billy~ God Bless You All...The Peterson's

May 13, 2013

dear family
i was sadden to read of dad;s pSSING . ALWAYS GD MEMORIES OF DAD WALKING BY THE HOUSE. MAY HIS OPEN HEART MAY HE RECIEVE HIS WINGS IN HEAVEN., MAY GOD BLESS

DOROTHY STEWART' DICKIE

May 13, 2013

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

Make a Donation
in Ben Montenegro's name

Memorial Events
for Ben Montenegro

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Matarese Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc.

325 Main St, Ashland, MA 01721

How to support Ben's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ben Montenegro's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more