Philip S. Montana

Mr. Philip Salvatore Montana, age 78, of Rochester, NY passed away on Wednesday July 29, 2020 at home with his loving family by his side.

He was born on July 7, 1942 in Utica, NY. He was the loving son of the late Sam N. and Francis C. (Cerminaro) Montana of Whitesboro, NY and brother to Peter S. and Joanne Montana of Sterling, VA and Laura (Montana) Dennison and Alan Denker of Brooklyn, NY. Phil graduated from Mohawk Valley Institute of Technology in 1962 with a degree in Applied Science in Electrical Technology and was a post graduate student of Rochester Institute of Technology.

After 35 years of service with Xerox he retired as a Program Manager for Global Print Services in 2000.  A licensed private pilot since 1999, he continued to pursue his passion for aviation and attended the North American Institute of Aviation and received his FAA Airframe and Power Plant Technician Certification in 2002. Founder and CEO of Montana Maintenance Inc, he provided US distribution for Gera SRL of Turino, Italy and forged a lifelong friendship with the Garrone Family, visiting them abroad on many occasions.

Pops was a dedicated father to seven children and known lovingly as “Papa Mustache” to his 13 grandchildren. Phil was an avid outdoorsman and shared his love of bowling, hunting, fishing and gold prospecting with his children and grandchildren. In 2012 he fulfilled his lifetime dream of driving cross country to Alaska and exploring the National parks. Camera in hand, he was always eager to share his adventures at home or abroad with friends and family.

Phil is survived by his children: Derrick Montana, Melissa Montana and husband Gary O’Neal (granddaughters Tiernan and Siera), Philip J. and Kerri Montana (grandson Ethan), Stephanie and husband John Merkel (grandsons Jordan, Jacob, and granddaughter Taylor), Karen and husband Christopher Schaeffer (grandsons Alexander and Ryan), Rachelle Montana (predeceased) and husband Marc Palmaffy (grandsons Sean, Duncan and granddaughter Sophia) and Christopher and Connie Montana (grandchildren Samuel and Mason).

Uncle Phil is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their children:  Lindsay (Montana) and Bobby Fan (children Kaileen and Ren), Michael and Cindy Montana (daughter Katherine), Nick and Maureen Dennison (daughters Keira and Fiona) and Corinna Dennison and husband Justin Lane (daughters Zuri and Sena) and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Memory of Philip.

Private funeral services with entombment in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, will be held at the convenience of the family.