Francis J. (“Monti”) Montimurro of Layton, N.J., passed away suddenly on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at his home. He was 88.
Francis was born in Greenwich, Conn., to the late Anthony and Carmella (Boskello) Montimurro. He grew up in the Chickahominy section, where he played football in high school. A renowned kicker, Francis was invited to audition for the Dallas Cowboys. After serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, Francis attended the American Academy McAllister Institute and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Francis was immensely proud of his career as a licensed funeral director at Frank E. Campbell’s, Walter B. Cooke, Riverside, and Williams Funeral Homes prior to his retirement in 1984. He chronicled his time in the industry in his book, “Provolone in the Casket.” Following retirement, Francis settled in Layton, N.J., where he owned and operated the Layton Store and worked as a permanent substitute teacher at the Sussex County Technical School. He always had a funny story to share and he will be missed by all who knew him.Predeceased by his wife, Joan (Fuller) Montimurro; sister Marie Ledda; and brothers, Joseph and Lawrence Montimurro, Francis is survived by his daughter, Melissa Montimurro and her husband Raymond Loevlie; son Mark and his wife Sandra Montimurro; grandchildren Alex, Andrew, and Aaron Tirpack and Aidan Loevlie; great-grandchildren Dylan and Madison Tirpack; and brother Anthony and wife Cathi Montimurro; as well as many nieces and nephews.Visitation was held Sept. 16 at the Ferguson Funeral Home, Sussex, N.J. A Funeral Mass was held Sept. 17 at the St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Sandyston, N.J. Burial in the Layton Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation christopherreeve.org.