John L. Montgomery Jr.

John L. Montgomery, Jr.

AGE: 88 •

John L. Montgomery, Jr., died Sunday, September 4th at the Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank at the age of 88. Mr. Montgomery was born October 1, 1922 at Ann May Hospital in Spring Lake, New Jersey. He was the only son of John L. Montgomery, Sr. and Gladys Hardy. His father was the Director of the Monmouth County Organization of Social Services (which was the predecessor to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey). His mother, Gladys Hardy, earned a PH. D. from Stanford and worked with Alfred Binet on the first IQ test. John Montgomery, known as "Jack", graduated from the Choate School in 1942 and then attended Princeton University. During his college years, war broke out and John went to Notre Dame Midshipmen School where he began as an Ensign, assigned to the U.S.S. Dennis, a destroyer escort, and was stationed in the Pacific, involved in the battles of Iwojima and Okinawa. He was decorated with the Presidential Citation and was a Lieutenant J.G. when dismissed. He then returned to Princeton to finish his degree and graduated in 1947 Phi Beta Kappa. Starting in the Sales Training Program in 1950 at Smith Barney in New York City, John was named Director in 1966 and later became a charter member of the Presidents Club for being one of the Company's highest producers. He retired in 2007 as a Senior Vice President and worked for the Company close to sixty years. In 1947, Jack married his hometown sweetheart Marion Backe (deceased October, 2000). Jack and Marion lived most of their lives in Rumson and Fair Haven and were supporters of many philanthropic interests, particularly the Monmouth County Historical Association and Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey. They were members of many local clubs including: The Rumson Country Club, Seabright Lawn & Tennis Club and Seabright Beach Club, in addition to the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. John was also a member of the New York Yacht Club in New York City. He is survived by three daughters, Leslie Montgomery, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Jill Montgomery, Ellicott City, Maryland; and Margo Montgomery and her husband Jonathan P. Ward, Lake Forest, Illinois; and four grandchildren: Devon, Ryan, Matthew and Mackenzie. His son-in-law Gene C. Kelly, husband to Jill, passed away in June, 2011.

A "Celebration of Life" service will be held at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank at 3 PM on Saturday, September 10th. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey or to the charity of your choice.