Joseph G. Monte

Age 85 of Horseheads, NY passed away on Friday October 8, 2010. It all began in Wilkes Barre, PA on August 1, 1925, the day I was born, Dead! That was what the doctor told my dad, and then put me on the dresser covered with a sheet. Dad kept telling the doctor he was wrong. The doctor told my dad that he had to take care of my mother. Dad continued to watch the sheet bundle on the dresser. After a while he saw the sheet move, "Doctor" he said "My Boy Is Alive" I coughed and the doctor heard me. Here I am 85 years later I'm now reaching my destiny. I grew up to do many things, held odd jobs here and there. I was brought up on a farm in Granville Summit, PA ten miles south of Troy and east of Canton, PA. I went to Windfall grade school and then to Troy High School. I left after 2 ½ years to join the Navy. Not for long, I ended up with a perforated ear drum and was Honorably Discharged. My family moved to Elmira in 1942, after more odd jobs I finished school at Southside High School. I decided I wanted to see the country. I went to Buffalo for 6 months and worked as a payroll clerk at the American Radiator. I then went south for the winter and from there went to California. After traveling with the boss of a cab company, I told him I wanted to see the country. He then told me I could see a lot by owning my own cab which he put me in. I did this for 3 years and then I got word that my dad wasn't feeling well and went back home. I couldn't find a job so I bought a pick-up truck for doing odd jobs. I went to work for Bendix and in 1958 was laid off and went into the restaurant business and worked in that field until I retired. I met my wife while I worked at Bendix. In 1966 I started running the Elbow Room which I named. In 1971 I built the El Monte Motel to run in conjunction with El Monte's Restaurant in Fisherville. I completely retired in 2002. During my life I belonged to the Elmira Eagles, Big Flats American Legion, Elmira Elks Lodge #62, Moose Club, Masonic Lodge #378 in Big Flats as a life member of all. I became a 32nd Degree Mason and member of The Kalurah Shine, belonged to Polish White Eagles, The Catholic War Veterans and was a member of The Horseheads Rotary and a Past President for 2 years. Joe was pre-deceased by his parents Nicholas and Gaitana Villano Monte, and his sisters Lucy Neidszwski, Manuella Muccigrosso, Carmella "Millie" Colton, and Antoinette "Toni" Monte. Mr. Monte married his wife Dorothy E. Cronk Monte on June 10 , 1957 and they recently celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary. Joe is survived by his wife Dorothy E. Cronk Monte of Horseheads, NY; sisters: Kathryn D. Monte and Paula Monte Chapman both of Elmira, NY; brother: Leiber J. "Lee" Monte formerly of Burdett, NY and now residing at The Bath Veterans Hospital; several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and God Children including a special niece and God Daughter Roxann Margeson and her husband Richard of Horseheads, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Lynch Funeral Home 318 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY on Tuesday October 12, 2010 from 1-3 PM. The Masonic Lodge will conduct a Memorial Service for Joe at 3 PM followed by Mr. Monte's Funeral Services with Rev. Christopher E. Linsler officiating. Interment in St. Mary Our Mother Cemetery in Horseheads, NY where Full Military Honors will be accorded Mr. Monte. The family has requested that those wishing to remember Joe to do so through memorial contributions to St. Mary Our Mother School 811 Westlake Street Horseheads, NY 14845 or Southern Tier Hospice 11751 East Corning Road Corning, NY 14830.