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JEAN MONTAGU Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JEAN MONTAGU
Bob Dillon
July 2, 2025
Coco Montagu was a mentor to me when I was a young electrical engineering graduate of M.I.T. I started a small engineering firm, Lumen Labs, and periodically Coco would invite me to General Scanning or out to lunch, just to stay in touch, give me advice and fill me on on major photonics happenings in the Boston area. Eventually Coco was instrumental in helping me rescue another M.I.T. spinout, Dimensional Photonics, from bankruptcy, by giving me advice and influencing some early investors in that company to back my efforts. Bottom line: Coco was a great man, a generous man and a great inspirer of talent and high tech businesses. I owe him a great deal of gratitude.
Robert Guthrie
March 13, 2024
Thank you for the wonderful bench in Mt. Auburn Cemetery; what a beautiful and inspiring man to learn about in a beautiful and inspiring place.
Betty W. Stone
August 14, 2023
Coco will be sorely missed. He was a dear person with a keen wit.
I was very fond of him.
Betty w. Stone
Al Whitton
February 23, 2023
Sasha: Sorry to read about your Fathers passing, found this Memorial of him searching for you. Our Parents wrote the Playbook & it´s up to us to give to others, or it will be lost forever. Hope your doing well & God Speed To Your Father. . . Regards Al Whitton
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Betty w Stone
August 14, 2022
I send my deepest sympathies and condolences to Kyra Gordon Montagu and Coco´s sons. Coco had a rare imagination and sense of humor which I always enjoyed. He is misses by me and many others of his friends,
Richard Colonna
March 7, 2021
One day, you are going to meet someone who will change your life. Because in the way they smile and talk to you, you see all your potential in just one look. And in the way they speak to you with the careful conversation, will make you realize that the adventure is worth pursuing.
Coco will be forever remembered for a life well-lived. Thanks for enriching so many people you touched, including me.
Richard Colonna
John Sullivan
November 25, 2020
So sorry to hear of your loss. I was so fortunate to work closely with Coco for many years at General Scanning. Loved hanging at the house near Old Watatic Ski Area. He will be missed.
Brad Smith
October 8, 2020
Dear Kyra, I learned today of Coco’s passing, and I wish to pass along my most heartfelt condolences on your loss. I treasure my time working with him while at MIT, learned so much from our conversations, and will never forget my visits your home to watch Coco and his fellow octogenarians enthusiastically working on their latest start-up. The world has lost an inspiring, considerate, generous innovator. Again, my condolences.
Ghassan khabbaz
September 4, 2020
Dear Kyra, just heard the sad news about Coco passing away. My deepest condolences. The time we spent together in Boston is always cherished and fondly remembered. My his eternal flame always shine and inspire others
Ghassan khabbaz
September 4, 2020
Dear Kyra, just heard the sad news about Coco passing away. My deepest condolences. The time we spent together in Boston is always cherished and fondly remembered. My his eternal flame always shine and inspire others
Betty W. Syone
August 30, 2020
Dear Kyra, I was so saddened to read about Coco. I remember him as lively and fun with a tremendous sense of humor an wit. Please accept Dick and my deepest sympathies at your loss and your sons' and grandchildrens' loss of Coco.
With warmest wishes to you and your family
Simone Taylor
August 27, 2020
No one can prepare you for a loss; it comes like a swift wind. However, take comfort in knowing God is with you and your family lean on him in your time of need & remember,
Nirav Dagli, Dagli family, and Spinnaker team
August 24, 2020
Dearest Kyra,
I was saddened to hear of Coco’s passing, and was immediately overcome with the fact that he passed peacefully in the company of those he loved – I can only hope I am so lucky when my time comes. I have such positive memories from visiting your lovely home in Cambridge, and seeing Coco and his colleague experimenting away in the basement – working on pipe diameters to separate plasma. I remember that every time I speak with my kids and employees on the wonder of remaining curious about EVERYTHING. I look forward to visiting you again soon with Carole, and in the meantime, my best wishes for a peaceful family gathering to celebrate Coco’s time on this roundish spinning ball.
With love and affection,
August 24, 2020
Coco was the example of someone who lived life to the fullest. It was a great privilege to work with him at General Scanning. His combination of creativity, intelligence and energy are unmatched by anybody else I have encountered in my career. His orbit brought in some of the most talented people I have ever worked with. One night, a friend from work and I were debating whose car was faster. So when we thought everyone had left, we went to the parking lot to drag race. Just as we were getting ready to launch, Coco walks out the door. He asks us what we are doing, sheepishly we tell him. He gets a smile on his face and says, "Great, I'll be the starter". A special guy; the world is a little less fun without him. With love - Tom Petersen
August 22, 2020
Dear Kyra- I am so sorry to hear of Coco's death. Please accept my condolences. Love Jan (pat's sister)
August 22, 2020
I worked for Coco at General Scanning in the 1970s. He was the most mischievous, funny, and generous boss I ever worked for. Working for him was not work - it was fun. In 1980, he loaned me money to help me buy my first house.
I have so many fond memories of him - such a great guy - he will be missed.
Sonia Vallianos
Robert Schenk
August 22, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lisa Patterson
August 21, 2020
In remembrance: may Coco be ever-present in the hearts of those who continue to love him.
Thalassa Scholl
August 21, 2020
Coco Montagu was a warm, fascinating, generous man who helped countless people throughout his life.
He had hundreds of friends who loved him and will miss him.
Rest in peace, dear Coco.
Bernie and Sue Pucker
August 21, 2020
A sparkling presence in our lives and complete sense of delight in his life and of all whom he encountered. His unique curiosity and perspective constantly revealed new meanings and surprises whenever we were together. What a blessing to have known him and his dear and lovely Kyra.
Louis Goldish
August 21, 2020
I knew Coco for quite a while, having worked with him as a mentor in the MIT Venture Mentoring Service. He was a valuable and compassionate advisor to our entrepreneurs, and a delightful colleague. My condolences to Coco's family.
Louis Goldish
MIT Venture Mentoring Service
Guy Fish
August 21, 2020
I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Coco in the Boston medtech community, first through Decision Biomarker, and then beyond. What a great smart great guy, with a wry sense of humor. I send the family my condolences during this difficult era for bereavement, and hope to celebrate his life with you when able.
Guy Fish
August 21, 2020
I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Coco in the Boston medtech community, first through Decision Biomarkers, and beyond. What a great, brilliant guy, with a wry sense of humor. I send my condolences to the family during a hard era for bereavement, and look forward to celebration of his life in a face to face format when possible.
Guy Fish
Pierre Brosens
August 21, 2020
I will never forget Coco and the great adventure we lived together.
The news of his passing has reached us 9 days before our return from France.
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