KeKe was my first boyfriend when we were 16. God bless him, he was a wonderful old soul. Love to Danny and the family. With great regrets and sorrow. The photos are wonderful.  - Susan Canterbury Pipyne

I knew KeKe growing up in the old neighborhood. He will always be that sweet,
lovable guy. I looked at him as the little brother I never had. Its been a long time, with no contact. This is my loss also. Forgive me . 
                                                                              Woody Smith

We are so sorry to hear about Joe's passing. Your family is in our thoughts. Bob, Candace and RJ Witt (Bob worked with Joe at the Water Plant).

To believe we come from nothing, for no purpose, makes no sense to me.  Here's to Joseph Montcalm, kind soul in God's eternity! 

(Began occasionally working with Joe in 1988 and enjoyed every minute)

Joe and I worked together at the Wilmette Water Plant for 13 years.  He was a great friend, an excellent teacher and had a huge influence in the person I am today.  I will forever miss my mentor and will spend a lifetime telling wonderfully funny stories about this incredible man.

The world is a little less bright without Joe and his great humor. He will be missed! Margaret and Al Janosz

I worked with Beth at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. She and Joe quickly became very dear friends. Their home was always so warm and welcoming. Joe was always a kind and friendly host. He made you laugh.You always felt right at home. I will never forget the great times I had at the Montcalms. May God Bless and comfort Beth, Sam, Alex and the entire family. Rest in peace Joe and enjoy your well deserved heavenly reward. Sincerely, Joan Williams-Cash

We were so sad to hear about Joe's death.  We want you to know that we are praying for Joe's family & friends.  Joe was a wonderful person to work with and will be greatly missed by Ted, Brian and others at Allan ICS, as they have worked with him over the past 20 years at the water plant with highest regard.

Joe's son Alex and my son Peter were friends since their early childhood.  The Montcalms were a second family to my son and Joe was definitely like a second father. So many memories and stories that Peter would tell me of the long family walks orchestrated by "Mr. Joe"...he was included in those walks along with Alex, Samantha, and Beth.  Joseph may be gone, but the wonderful memories he left behind will not be forgotten.  I love you guys dearly! (Peter's mom)

Joe  was my co-worker, my one-time landlord, and my friend.  I shall miss him a lot.  we go back a long time.
Diane Kallis

My heart to your Family as you find ways to move through life carrying the love of Keke Montcalm with you. His heart so huge. We just spoke the other dayof Keke and recalled fun memories of our youth on Olive Ave.alongside him. Long may you run Keke.
dee dee salvaggio

Joseph Keith Montcalm, Keke, was closer to me than my own brother was.  

I was and still am closest to the older brother, Dan, but the three of us stood together as brothers, like Three Musketeers, our bonds being forged through years of tribulations that we endured together in our youth. 
We filled the roles of parent, guardian, confidant, defender, brother and friend to each other. 
We faced fear, anger, danger, violence, uncertainty, and painful heartache together. 
We shared discovery, adventure, work and play. 
We shared our thoughts, and feelings and we shaped our values as we were tested by life.

Keke was positive, kind, industrious and creative and his view of the world was unique. 
My grief is greater than I would have anticipated, and I find myself thinking of Keke every day for the last week, going thru old memories, and a scant few pictures. My heart goes out to Dan and Barb and Alex and Sam, along with all the other relatives and friends. Keke's passing will leave a big empty spot in the lives of many people, and I hope we can all remember him by doing good things for others as he did.
I shall miss him a lot.

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. 
   With sympathy, the Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly family.

It won't be the same without Joe. Great friend, teacher, and fellow worker! All the best to Beth, Sam, and Alex.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Beth, Alex and Sam and to everyone who has been touched, moved, loved and inspired by this very special man!

 Sawyer Ave will not be the same without" Joe". He will be missed Dearly!
The Rasinski Family

Beth, Sam, and Alex you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you.

I was so sad to hear of "KeKe's" passing and have a lot of fond memories of him and his family! Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers!

Gentle and loving soul who lifted us all with his laughter and gigggles. Keke is missed already.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I am deeply saddened at the sudden death of Joe. We both attended grammar school together at Hardey Prep. We connected again in 81' when Joe started at the Village of Wilmette. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Paul Hahn and Family

Keke and I met in first grade at Hardey Prep, bonded in seventh grade playing on the football team and spent the majority of the degenerate phase of our early teen years together--no one better for that time. He was energetic, kind, off-beat and a keen student of human nature. The great thing about our closeness was that intervening years spent far from each other didn't matter. We could depend on our short-hand method of communication and trust that it still worked perfectly well, which of course made it work perfectly well. Cliché alert: I could be myself with him and likewise he with me--no strain or work or falseness involved. He was the Enkidu to my Gilgamesh. It soooooo hurts that I'm coming to Chicago this weekend to attend his wake and memorial service. He was the only non-family member I've known and cared about for over fifty years. Now he can be my patron saint.

 don't know what to say. I lost my cus.  Early on he talked to me about people living forever. We share this belief. So loving. So funny. Eyes told you he was listening.  I know he will be with us on our best days and our worst. In spirit.  Whie we miss him in the physical.  Blessings to the family.

I was hoping to do a good bike ride with Keke in Colorado one day soon. He will be on my mind for my next long journey on two wheels. I know he was a very good man. Uncle Joe was very high on Keke and told me so often.
Tim & Cathy Keady

We are so sad to learn of the sudden loss of my cousin, Joseph "Keke" Montcalm.  Since learning of his passing, I have been thinking of you all with love and the deepest sympathy.  We know he will be greatly missed at home and at work - taken much too soon from this life!  Love you all!  

Marianne Keady Erickson and Family

Please accept our deepest condolences, from all the staff at Wilmette that will miss Joe.

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Sending our deepest love and condolences to the entire Montcalm family. Joseph Keith Montcalm was our dear, dear friend and long time good buddy. Always interested in you as a person, he has a way of getting into your heart at every meeting, short or brief, it didn't matter. You could feel him connect with your heart and soul and do his very best to make you feel good and bring a moment of joy into your life, meeting after meeting, year after year.  He knew the realities of pain and he wanted no part of it moving forward in life. He would rather love than hurt anyone and that was how he lived his life. Always child like and innocent, he had the curiosity of a cat and the love of a loyal and dear friend, always there and ever present to appreciate your next word, story or adventure. To meet him was to love him. He was always the joy and innocent friendliness in the room. He will be greatly missed and will hold a very special place in our hearts always. With deep love and with a full heart, we wish him all the glory of the Divine as he continues to bless us from the other side. This is not an end for him, but this the beginning of an eternal journey he no doubt will fully appreciate and totally enjoy....God bless good buddy. Our deepest Love, appreciation, and condolences,  The entire Hartnett Family. XOXO.

OBITUARY

Joseph Keith Montcalm

21 January, 1955 – 16 June, 2013

Drake & Son Funeral Home

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