Joseph Montagnino

Dr. Joseph Montagnino, MD, a devoted physician, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong student of health and healing, passed away on December 24, 2025. Born in Manhattan, New York, he dedicated his life to the care of others, guided by integrity, generosity, and a deep respect for the practice of medicine. He graduated from New York Medical College in 1972.

Dr. Montagnino was a non-invasive cardiologist and served for many years as Chief of Cardiology at New Bridge Medical Center. He was also a longtime member of the medical staff at The Valley Hospital and maintained a private cardiology practice. Over the course of his career, he mentored and trained countless physicians, generously sharing his knowledge, clinical judgment, and philosophy of patient-centered care. Many of those he trained went on to serve communities throughout New Jersey and beyond.

He took the Hippocratic Oath seriously, often quoting Hippocrates: "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." A strong believer in preventive care, Dr. Montagnino emphasized nutrition, vitamins, supplements, and lifestyle changes alongside traditional care. He read voraciously, continually deepening his understanding of healing and health.

Outside of medicine, he loved cooking healthy food, telling jokes, and living simply. He sacrificed for his family and was generous to those in need, offering help without recognition.

Dr. Montagnino is survived by his beloved wife, Lilia Montagnino; his brother, Thomas Montagnino; his daughters, Marian Montagnino and Lillian Aaronson; and his cherished grandchildren, Carine, Cayden, and Maple. His legacy lives on through the lives he healed, the doctors he trained, and the values he lived by.

Services: Public viewing 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481; Funeral Mass 12:00–1:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church, 700 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481.