Msgr. Edward J. Montano

Msgr. Edward J. Montano, who served for 35 years at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, including five years as rector, died Dec. 24 at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck. He was 85. Cardinal Egan celebrated the Funeral Mass Dec. 27 in SS. Peter and Paul Chapel at the seminary. The homilist was Msgr. William B. Smith, professor of moral theology there. Msgr. Montano was assigned to the faculty of St. Joseph's Seminary in 1950; he taught philosophy and theology. He was rector from 1968 until 1973, when he was named pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Suffern. He returned to the seminary in 1982 and taught theology until 1994. He retired in 1995. Msgr. Smith noted in his homily that Msgr. Montano had spent more than half his priesthood at the seminary and had taught "a significant percentage" of the priests of the archdiocese. He also spoke about his own association with Msgr. Montano. "I had him as a philosophy teacher, and when I was first assigned here he was rector, so...I came to learn and to appreciate his great love for the priesthood," Msgr. Smith said. He added that Msgr. Montano was the seminary rector "at a time of some turmoil and some big challenges." St. Joseph's Seminary came through that turbulent era unscathed, he said, and that was due in large part to "the sure and steady hand and the keen and sober mind of Ed Montano, who never lost sight of the fact that the purpose of the seminary was to produce pastorally effective priests." Msgr. Peter G. Finn, the current seminary rector, told CNY that as a seminarian he was in Msgr. Montano's philosophy class. "He was a very brilliant man, able to convey his lesson in a dynamic and enthusiastic way," Msgr. Finn said. "He was a man of good humor and good cheer." Auxiliary Bishop Patrick V. Ahern, retired as vicar for development, praised Msgr. Montano for his intellect and his personality. "He had a very clear mind and he was a very fine teacher," Bishop Ahern said in an interview. "He was a fine man personally; he had great integrity and a joyful spirit. He loved to joke. He communicated the spirit of joy by his smile, his manner and his openness." Msgr. Montano, born in Saugerties, prepared for priesthood at Cathedral College and St. Joseph's Seminary and was ordained Dec. 1, 1945. He served briefly at St. Patrick's Cathedral, then was assigned to study at The Catholic University of America, where he earned a doctorate in sacred theology. While studying at Catholic University, he served summers at St. Ann's and Holy Rosary in Manhattan. Upon completing his degree in 1949, he served as a parochial vicar at St. Helena's in the Bronx before being assigned to the seminary. He was named a monsignor in 1963 with the title of papal chamberlain, and was named a domestic prelate in 1967. In 1970 he was appointed a consultor of the archdiocese. Burial took place at St. Mary of the Snows Cemetery in Saugerties.