Lawrence E. Montibello Sr., 93, retired Haverhill Firefighter, passed away Nov. 18, at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Bedford surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late, Gesmundo L. Montibello, and Mary E. (Flynn) Montibello-Dennis, and raised in Haverhill by his mother and step father, Joseph Dennis. He attended Haverhill public schools and was a graduate of Haverhill High School, class of 1939. A WWII Veteran, Montibello proudly served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 until being honorably discharged in 1945. He continued his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from North Shore Community College.
Montibello was employed by the City of Haverhill as a Firefighter for more than 30 years, retiring in 1984, achieving the rank of lieutenant. He served his fellow firefighters as treasurer of the Fire Department Credit Union, and also served as union president. A man of strong faith, he was active in his home parish of St. James, his memberships included the St. Vincent DePaul Society and Holy Name Society. He also worked a second job at the Haverhill Lumber Company as he and his wife raised ten loving children. Since retiring he and his wife, “Kay” enjoyed spending winters in the Bahamas and treasured their time together.
He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Catherine M. (McGravey) Montibello, ten children; Lawrence E. Montibello Jr. and his wife, Fung Yee, Lynn C. Montibello and her partner, Kevin W. Cormier, and David D. Montibello, all of Haverhill, Catherin P. Berube and her husband, David, of Virginia, Thomas M. Montibello, Acting Captain, HFD, and his wife, Linda, and Joseph P. and his wife Deborah, also of Haverhill, Mary C. Jones and her husband Jay, of Florida, Ellen M. Cassidy and her husband, John, of Lawrence, Jean A. Arau and her husband, Douglas, of Haverhill, and Stephen P. Montibello and his wife, Ellen, of Londonderry, NH, brother in law, Francis McGravey, of Lawrence, and sister in law, Claire and her husband, Jack Lamond, twenty grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. Funeral services with Firefighter and Military Honors will begin at 10 a.m. Monday morning from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 at St. James Church, Winter St. Haverhill. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Primrose St. Haverhill. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the charity of one’s choice.