Samuel J. Montgomery Jr.

Growing up as one of ten children in Jenkintown, PA, Sam Montgomery found his life centered around the Episcopal Church of Our Savior where he sang in first the boys’ choir, then the men’s choir, and played football and baseball on the church lawn. Although church activities left little time for mischief, Sam and his younger brother, Stan, can recount many adventures in which they were less than saints!

In high school, Sam lettered in football, baseball and wrestling. His competitive spirit continued in his lifelong love of golf and persisted until his death at 95 in friendly competition in miniature golf, billiards, and Wii bowling and golf at The Shores at Wesley Manor, Ocean City, NJ.

After high school graduation, Sam worked for Philadelphia Electric while taking accounting courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He married his high school sweetheart, Lillian, in 1941 and was drafted into the Army in 1943. It was then that he discovered that jobs that seem inconsequential at the time can save one’s life! Because of a part-time job in a gas station and learning from his older brothers how to repair cars, Sam was pulled from an infantry unit and assigned to mechanics school. Sent to Leicester, England to a company charged with repairing trucks that transported bombs to the nearby airfield, Sam put his mechanical skills to work. Doing repairs that no one else in his unit could perform, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. As it turned out, all personnel beneath his rank were assigned to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, from which they didn’t return.

Post-World War II, Sam, Lillian and their two daughters moved to Island Heights, NJ, a picturesque little town on the Toms River and Barnegat Bay in Ocean County. He continued in the automobile business at Florian Pontiac, Lakewood, NJ. Once more the church became the center of his life. Sam was a choir member, Lay Leader, founder of the Methodist Men, and member of the Island Heights Methodist Church for more than forty years. Since 1992, he and Lillian were members of the Toms River Presbyterian Church where he served in the choir and they both were Deacons.

In addition to church, family has always rated highly in Sam’s life. His brothers, sisters, and their families, as well as his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his delight. Sam and Lillian’s home in Island Heights was the magnet that drew family for untold numbers of birthday and holiday celebrations and picnics, as well as fishing, crabbing and sailing expeditions. Good times and good food at Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery’s!

Married to Sam for 67 years, Lillian passed away in 2008 in their new home in Ocean City. Sam, nevertheless, continued to enjoy fellowship in worship and Bible study at The Shores, participating in as many activities as he was able. God blessed Sam with the love of his family and friends, as well as The Shores staff who helped him to stay healthy and happy.

Those wishing to pay tribute to Sam may visit Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ on Tuesday, April 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00. p.m. A service to celebrate Sam’s life and resurrection will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Toms River, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the “Rejoice in Hope Offering” at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.