Joseph T. "Joe" Montich

1921 - 2017

Joe, age 95, passed peacefully on Thursday, January 19, 2017, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA with his wife of 49 years, Inge, by his side. He died from complications of Alzheimer's. He is lovingly remembered by his children Patricia Suzanne (Pat) Bigelow, Jo Anne Marie (Jodie) Stover, Joseph L. Montich (Joe) and their spouses (Kevin, Roger, Daisy), 5 grandchildren (Wayne, Eric, Tyler, Jasmine, Michael), 3 great grandchildren (Jake, Oliver, Nash), nephews (John, James, Steve), and nieces (Marie, Connie). Joe was born February 17, 1921, in Phoenixville, PA, to John and Maria (Durkota) Montich, who immigrated to the United States from Czechoslovakia in 1909. Joe graduated from Phoenixville High School, class of 1939. In his Junior and Senior year he made the National Honor Society and participated in football, basketball, baseball and track, earning several letters in these sports. After graduating from high school he moved with two friends to Sacramento to study aeronautical engineering at Sacramento Junior College and Sacramento State University. Joe had a successful career as a civil servant in the U.S. Air Force. During his 36 years of work, his jobs were always around air planes, first as a mechanic and test pilot and later as logistic support of military jet planes purchased by foreign countries. He enjoyed watching and actively participating in baseball, including coaching his son's Little League teams. He particularly enjoyed playing golf and traveling all around the world with his wife and friends late into his 80's. A grave site service will be held Friday, February 17, 2PM at East Lawn Sierra Hills Memorial Park, 5757 Greenback Ln., Sacramento, CA, followed by a Reception at the Timber Creek Lodge (Solarium), Sun City Roseville, 7050 Del Webb Blvd. In lieu of flowers Joe would want donations sent to the Alzheimer's Disease Research & Prevention Foundation.