RICHARD ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY Jr.

MONTGOMERY, Richard Alexander Jr. Richard (Dick, Monty, Red, Mr. Mont), Alexander Montgomery, Jr., age 89, of Norwood, formerly of Brighton, passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Barbara Ann (Ditmar) Montgomery. Loving father of Barbara Montgomery Seager and wife Mary Compagnone of Norwood, Richard Montgomery and wife Joanna Revelas of Cambridge, Stephen Montgomery and wife Maura of Dedham, Carol Montgomery of Brighton, Paul Montgomery-Hyde and husband James of Scituate. Devoted Grandfather, "Garfa," to Barbara Ann, Katherine, Margaret, and Mitchell. Godfather, uncle, and a great friend to so many. Former member of the Boston Chapter of the Sons of the Desert and the Julia Ruth House gang.

The son of the late Richard and Mary Montgomery, Dick lived 85 years in Brighton. He was also predeceased by his dear sister Teresa and her husband Donald McGowan, cousin Mary Kennedy, and son-in-law Marc Seager. Dick attended Boston College after graduating from St. Columbkille's Elementary School and Boston English High School, where he ran track and played football and baseball, cultivating a lifelong love of every local Boston sports team.

As a young man, Dick served in the United States Naval Reserve for four years as a Radarman, which brought him to ports in San Francisco, Virginia, Cuba, and Haiti. In his twenties, Dick became a journeyman printer and met the love of his life, Barbara "Ditty" Ditmar. They wed in 1958 and raised their family in the same Brighton home where he was born. They spent summers in their much-loved Ocean Bluffs cottage, which was always filled with family, friends and neighbors. After 20 years of nights in the pressroom, Dick became a gentleman behind the bar working in Brighton, Cambridge, Dorchester, and finally at Doyle's in JP. In these communities, he reveled in stories of local and world history and politics, great bar food, and all things Boston sports. He also leaned in, listening to many a patron who might be down on their luck, responding with helpful words and thoughtful deeds. For most of Dick's life, making sacrifices for family, friends, and an ever-widening circle of his community came naturally. He always found the time and made the effort. Over some 40 years, he helped take care of his father and later became the dedicated caretaker for his wife. Dick loved driving big cars and even bigger station wagons. No matter the distance or weather, he always traveled with all his kids in the way, way back. The vehicle was routinely packed with relatives and neighbors who never learned to drive and school-age friends and classmates going on field trips. Whether taking in a little league game or going to Fenway Park or the Garden, shuttling the Sisters of St. Joseph to Framingham, Nahant, and Cohasset, on adventures to pursue Merit Badges with the Webelos, or making countless Girl Scout cookie deliveries in winter, the Chevy, though full, always had room for one more. Most summers, he would round up the usual suspects at 3 AM after a long day's night at work to haul down to Marsh Vegas while listening to Larry Glick.

The Montgomery family would like to thank all the hard-working aides, nurses, and drivers who cared for their Dad; their friendship and professionalism brought him comfort and cheer for the last five years. He woke up every day singing and went to sleep after saying his prayers, grateful for the day. A Mass of Gratitude for a life well lived with much singing will be held at a future date when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick's honor to Norfolk County RSVP Rides for Vets, P.O. Box 310, Dedham, MA 02027 and Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston, 637 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02135. For guestbook, please visit www.lehmanreen.com Lehman Reen McNamara

Brighton 617 782 1000