A funeral Mass for Robert Aldridge “Bob” Montgomery was held on Oct. 6 at Holy Ghost Church.
Father John Dowling, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Chattanooga, was the Mass celebrant. Father Michael Hendershott, associate pastor of Holy Ghost, was the concelebrant. Deacon Gordy Lowery and Deacon Scott Maentz assisted.
Mr. Montgomery, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on Oct. 1 at the age of 89. He had been a member of Holy Ghost since 1961, serving on the parish council, in the choir, as a eucharistic minister, leader of the Holy Ghost weekly breakfasts, and volunteering his time and resources for St. Joseph School. He also was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Knoxville Senior Singers, and was a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts.
In addition, Mr. Montgomery devoted his time and service to Holy Ghost by maintaining the facilities, organizing the Lenten fish fries as well as leading the effort to start the St. Joseph School Fall Festival, where he and wife Betty created the barbecue and sauce that was so popular for decades. They also helped start the St. Joseph Mardi Gras each year, another key fundraiser for the school.
Their signature gumbo was a Mardi Gras staple.
Mr. Montgomery served in the 8th U.S. Army honor guard during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and retired as a senior engineer from TVA.
Mr. Montgomery is survived by sisters Barbara (Glen) Pierce and Mary Jo (David) Beauerle; children, Beth (Jim) Santella, Angela (Greg) Taylor, Robert C. (Mindy) Montgomery, Jane Gaffney, David (Ann) Montgomery, Joanna Dickenson, Teresa (Gilbert) Feliciano, Patty (Steve) Grim, Ruth Edwards, and Charles Montgomery; as well as 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Montgomery; sisters Harriet Bischoff (Ralph) and Nancy Montgomery; brother James Montgomery; and sons-in-law Mike Gaffney, Scott Dickenson, and T Edwards.
Pallbearers were grandsons Zachary Dickenson, Geoff Taylor, Michael Gaffney, Matthew Santella, Nathaniel Gaffney, Alexander Feliciano, and Isaac Santella. Honorary pallbearers were Tom Simpson and Bob Hanrahan.
Mr. Montgomery was buried at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville with military honors. Donations in Mr. Montgomery’s memory can be made to Ladies of Charity, 120 W. Baxter Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917.
