Robert Arthur Montgomery

08/18/2007

Robert Arthur Montgomery, 66, of 80 Railroad St., Canann, Conn., a former longtime resident of Housatonic, died Saturday at home. Born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, on June 1, 1941, son of Thelma Watters Montgomery and the late Arthur Moses Montgomery, he was educated there and moved with his parents from Upper Mills, New Brunswick, to Housatonic in 1960, earning his contractor license from the Taconic Vocational Technical School in Pittsfield in 1972. He served as a cadet and a queen's scout before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force, in which he achieved the rank of before his honorable discharge. Mr. Montgomery was a self-employed carpenter. His first large-scale contract was to work on the Aberdale buildings in Housatonic. He enjoyed playing, coaching and watching hockey, competing in billiards tournaments and was a Boston Red Sox and New York Giants fan. He also enjoyed summering at the Canaan campground. He and his wife, the former Terry Rice, were married Dec. 9, 1995 in Sheffield. Besides his mother, of Housatonic, and his wife, he leaves a former wife, Sharon Rufo Koperek of Housatonic; a son,Daniel Karpinski of Pittsfield; a daughter, Tammy Mintz of Housatonic; two sisters, Pauline Montgomery and Constance Delmasto, both of Housatonic; three brothers, John Montgomery of Pittsfield, Paul Montgomery of Egremont and Timothy Montgomery of New York City; and five grandchildren. A son, Robert Louis Montgomery, died Dec. 13, 1997. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Celebration of Life service for Robert A. Montgomery, who died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Housatonic United Methodist Church by the Rev. David Rogers. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in St. Bridget's Cemetery. Family will receive friends at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Bob's eldest grandchild, Allan, is currently serving with the U.S. Army in Kuwait, and his wife, Becky, is expecting Bob's first great-grandchild in December. Expressions of sympathy in Bob's memory may be made to the Housatonic United Methodist Church or to the charity of one's choice in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Bob enjoyed coaching his son, Robert, at hockey, from a young age. There were many Saturdays dedicated to 4 and 5 a.m. trips to the rink just to get ice time.

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