JOSEPH R. M D. MONTANTE

of West Bloomfield, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2001 at the age of 87. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Irene and his parents Robert and Mary Montante. Dr. Montante graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1940. He served as a Captain and Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Army from 1942-1946. During his lifetime, Dr. Montante was a member of the Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital Staff, Medical Director at the Bertha Fisher Home for the Aged, President of the Board of Governors at Wayne State University School of Medicine, President of Wayne State University School of Medicine Alumni, member of the Anthony Wayne Society, member of the Michigan State Medical Society as well as Wayne and Oakland Counties Medical Society, and was a member of the Phi Beta Pi National Fraternity. Dr. Montante was active in the West Bloomfield Community serving as Chairman of the West Bloomfield Township Planning Commission and Vice Chairman of the West Bloomfield Township Zoning Board of Appeals. From 1972 to 1982, Dr. Montante served as Oakland County Commissioner for the West Bloomfield Lakes area. Dr. Montante served as Chairman of the Oakland County Sanitary Code Board of Appeals, Vice Chairman of the County Zoning Committee, Vice Chairman of the Health and Human Resources Committee, First Vice President of the Michigan Association of Counties, President of the Michigan Association of Board of Health, Board of Trustees of the Comprehensive Health Planning Council, National Association of Counties Health and Education Policy Steering Committee and a long time Commissioner of Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Dr. Montante received numerous awards and Presidential citations for his dedicated and valuable contributions to his community and medical profession. He was a loving father to Mary E. (William) Rachwal of Lake Angelus, Margaret A. (Dean Smith, PhD) Hill of Waterford, Marlene M. (Gilbert) Fons of West Bloomfield, Dr. Joseph R. (Debra) Montante, Jr., M.D. of Longmont, CO, Marcella R. (Charles Tashjian) Montante of West Bloomfield and James M. (Joyce) Montante of West Bloomfield. Also survived by 17 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 4, 2002, 11 a.m. at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4300 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Celebrant Reverend Father Arnold Kosco. The family will receive friends Wednesday 6-9 p.m. and Thursday 3-9 p.m. at the Riverside Chapel, Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home, 5630 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford (248) 674-4181. Rosary Thursday 8 p.m. Rite of Committal Pine Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Wayne State University Medical School.