Dr. Donald Montemurro
Died: November 1, 2024 | Place: London, Ontario
Services
Celebration of Life
Sunday, November 17, 2024
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Remembrances and performance by Julia LoRusso at 2:00 pm
A. Millard George Reception Centre
60 Ridout Street South
London, Ontario
N6C 3X1
Obituary
MONTEMURRO, Dr. Donald
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Donald Montemurro in his 95th year on Friday, November 1st, 2024 at Victoria Hospital, London, loving husband to June (Dickey), father to Maria (Karl) Guinness and Andrea (Domenico) LoRusso and proud grandfather to Marco, Connor, Julia, Michael and Gabriel. Donald is predeceased by his parents Samuel and Rose (Orange) Montemurro of North Bay, brothers Richard and Reginald and sisters Rita (Morris) and Rene (Morrish). The essence of Monte was kindness and patience, with equal measures of creativity and discipline. His gentle nature and warm spirit were a source of comfort to those around him. He will be dearly missed by his loving family, longtime colleagues, friends and neighbours.
Monte was born in 1930 in North Bay, Ontario, the youngest of 5 children. He grew up in a large Italian family, worked as a paper boy, delivered yeast by bicycle, spent summers as an army cadet and working at a family-owned grocery mart/ice cream parlour in Sudbury. Monte left northern Ontario in 1948 for studies in Physiology at UWO, where he met June in the Wortley Village at Marshall’s Diner (now Mai’s Cafe). He completed his Masters (1954) and Doctorate (1957) of Physiology at UWO. Together Monte and June travelled for work and studies to London, England where he worked at the Chester Beatty Institute for Cancer Research, and to New Haven, Connecticut to study at Yale University, before settling back in London, Ontario to start a family and to take up a position at the Cancer Research Institute at Western University. He held a position as Professor of Neuroanatomy in the Medical School at Western University, was Chairman of the Anatomy Department and was awarded a medal of distinction for his teaching. Upon retiring from Western as Professor Emeritus in 1995, he began the next phase of his life as a loving grandfather, self-taught woodworker making beautiful furniture for their home and family and friends’ homes, and drummer as a member of the New Horizons Band. Monte and June took great care of and supported each other during 70 years of marriage. He was an avid card player, especially enjoying Hearts. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, photography, travelling and hosting memorable get-togethers at their home in Wortley Village.
A special thank you to all the members of the care teams at Westmount Kidney Care Centre and UH Renal Care Program. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home Reception Centre located on the southeast corner of the parking lot, 60 Ridout Street South, London 519-433-5184. Remembrances and performance by Julia LoRusso at 2:00 pm. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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It is with sadness that we received the news of Donny’s passing. He had a long & productive life, a life well-lived. May the family find the strength and courage to go on without him. With all our love, from cousins Bill Orange and Dale Orange- Mazzuchin & families.
Sudbury, Ontario
My deepest condolences to the family !
Condelences and sincere sympathies to June and Monty’s family – Sorry for your loss. I have the priviledge of working with Monty on a woodworking project through OSCO – building the Christmas Market kiosks. He was fantastic team member / leader who was amazing to work with. He clearly demonstrated his woodworking acumen (and patience) with our novice team. He will be missed. kindly, Jack
My sincere condolences to all the family. I met Monty years ago through Marie and Karl. He was a wonderful person, very kind and caring. I’m very pleased to say that he made me a piece of furniture about 25 years ago and I still have it. I know you will cherish all the wonderful memories you made through the years with Monty.
Sondra and I were greatly saddened to hear of Monte’s recent death even though we have been aware of his lengthly illness. For such an active and involved man his whole life being sidelined by illness must have been an awfull time for him as well as for the family to endure. We were inspired by the way he endured and dispatched his lengthy health challanges. Please accept our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are with you all as you grieve his loss.
Needless to say we have very fond memories of Monte and indeed the Montemurro family. I first met him in the late 60’s when he mentored me as a M.Sc. and later as a Ph.D. student at Western. We have been close friends and colleagues ever since. He is largely responsible for the career and lifestyle I and my family have enjoyed. Our professional collaboration has continued for almost 50 years ending in 2008 with the publication of our last co-authored textbook.
Monte was a warm, generous, and creative individual. He was also multitalented; an accomplished academic, photographer, musician, and exquisite woodworking craftsman. I hope at this difficult time you all can find some comfort in knowing that he lived a remarkably full and satisfying life and is now at peace. A fine and gentle man that will be greatly missed by family and those of us he touched. He will long be remembered.
With kind regards,
Ed and Sondra Bruni
So sorry to hear about Monte’s passing. I have many memories of Monte and June at parties my parents held, (especially the mushy-pea parties!)
My condolences to June and family.
Sad news, indeed. I learned such a lot from Monte when he was my senior colleague teaching Neuroanatomy at UWO. Sincere condolences from Tessa and me to June and all the family.
So sad to hear of Monte’s passing. Brenda and I extend our condolences to June and familly
My sincere condolences to June and family.
I have a particular soft spot for Monte because, as Chairman, it was he who recruited me from the UK to the then Department of Anatomy, in 1976, where I remained throughout my academic career. We had a very good working relationship. In particular, I have very fond memories of working closely for several years with Monte, together with Rod Singh, to produce an extensive series of videotapes (at the time “state-of-the-art”) related to the teaching of anatomy.
Monte was a kind, thoughtful man of many talents, and I am sure he will be missed by many.
I lament the passing of cousin Donald while understanding that he had lived a full life and did not need suffering (though he seemed to accept whatever came to him with wonderful patience). We accidentally ran into each other over 40 years ago in a barber shop and the coincidence was a wonder and tribute to his personality when we began joking with each other immediately. We met again accidentally in Cuba when Erma and I followed his suggestion to go to a place he recommended and found him there with his entourage. Since then our annual lunches allowed us to get closer and I really appreciate how generous and warm he was to us all. He will be sorely missed,
Dr. Montemurro was my Neuroanatomy teacher during my PhD studies, alongside Dr. Murray Barr. He was an exceptional educator and had a profound influence on me. We both joined the faculty around the same time—he was appointed Chairman in 1973, the same year I began my journey as an Assistant Professor.
Monte’s teaching of Neuroanatomy was transformative for me, especially since I had never taken a course in the subject before. He gave me invaluable advice: He advised me to find a study partner with whom I could review Neuroanatomy and quiz each other, a piece of advice that proved invaluable. . I paired up with a Catholic sister who was studying Physiotherapy, and together, we navigated the course. Thanks to Monte’s guidance, we both excelled, achieving an A in the course.
Over time, Monte became not just a mentor but a cherished friend. His creativity and talent shone when he designed a custom box for my Needleless Jet dental anesthesia device. The craftsmanship was outstanding, and to this day, I still have and treasure that box.
Monte’s kindness, wisdom, and genuine spirit will live on in the memories of all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his legacy continue to inspire, and may he find eternal peace and comfort.
Bill and I were blessed to meet and share in Monty and June’s life through mutual friends, Elizabeth and Rod. Monty’s genuine kindness and warmth will be remembered . A gentle and beautiful person who left his mark on many. His generosity to Wellspring London is cherished and his wood working treasures continue to be enjoyed.
Our deepest condolences to June and family. RIP Monty.
So very saddened to hear of MONTE’S passing. He was a great man who excelled in all he did and will be missed and remembered by so many. June, Andrea and Maria, please accept our deepest sympathy that words cannot express. Monte lived a life to be celebrated by everyone who knew him.
Jack and Hilda Orange