Joseph Worth Montgomery

Joseph Worth Montgomery, Jr., passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his family on October 25, 2023 at the age of 92 in San Jose, California.

A Bay Area native and lifelong resident, he was born on March 2, 1931 to Joseph Worth Montgomery, Sr., and Annabel Montgomery in San Rafael, California. He was the oldest of two - he had a sister, Catherine, 7 years his junior who sadly died from kidney disease at 23. In his youth he was nicknamed by family as ‘Sonny.’

Joseph attended Bellarmine High School in San Jose, and went on to attend San Jose State University. He enlisted in the military during the Korean War, and served as an intelligence officer stationed in Kyoto, Japan for two years. When he returned, he met the love of his life, Anita ‘Cookie’ Montgomery, née Francisconi, on a double date in which they were not each other’s dates. They grew up in the same neighborhood as children, but reconnected again as adults. They married on June 27, 1959, and went on to have four children - Paul, Anne (Chris Dominion), Ted (Cindy Farrow), and John (Gillian Montgomery). Joseph and Cookie raised their family primarily in Saratoga, and resided there for over fifty years. They have seven grandchildren - Katie, Julia, Bella, Claire, Abby, Piper, and Paul, and one great grandchild - Sunny Rae, named after her great grandfather’s nickname.

He went on to become a real estate appraiser after the military, and became the chief appraiser at American Savings & Loans, and later World Savings Bank. Although he officially retired at 70, at 92 he continued to manage his property and home of over fifty years, Toyon Lodge, as its landlord to many long-term tenants.

There are many things one could say about Joe - he gained a reputation at his favorite South Bay Area sandwich shops as the ‘half sandwich guy,’ because he never wanted to order a full one. A religious man, he attended mass at possibly every Catholic church from San Francisco to Carmel, including ones that weren’t in English. A strong Republican in a family of Democrats, he was always open to light political discussions, even though he knew he was outnumbered. He also had a silly side, which was fully exercised in his final years with his amazing caregiver Cissy, who helped plot the best adventures. Whenever the family arrived at a get-together arranged by Joe and Cissy, you didn’t know if you’d be in a highly competitive water balloon or squirt gun fight, or if we’d all end up speaking through bullhorns. Cissy gave Joe so many amazing experiences during his final years.

Joe was full of wisdom. During Covid, when visits were rare, we often got emails with words to live by. When family visits were possible again, he’d read from a yellow legal pad, where he’d penned his latest reasons to be so proud of his family, followed by his latest ponderings. We have enough for a book, but here was his latest:

“Try and stay out of hospitals. Getting injured isn’t for woosies. Get home as soon as you can. God has a plan even if some parts stink. Love you. Get home soon!!

Lest you forget:

Don’t lie

Don’t cheat

Don’t hurt nobody

God loves you

Love God back

AND LOVE YOURSELF

YOU ARE “GOD MADE”

Joseph was the patriarch of a family that he built and loved dearly for over 60 years. As a father, he will be remembered for his wise words and unwavering support of his children. As a grandfather, he will be remembered for the creative games or riddles he brought to all family holidays and events. But perhaps what will be best remembered for, is his unwavering love for his wife, Cookie, who had Alzheimer’s for over twenty years. He did everything possible to ensure she had a happy, comfortable life at home, and his family is comforted knowing that Joe and Cookie are together again.

Joe always asked us to seek out the lost, lonely or sad, and engage with them. He would often email, “Have you engaged with a stranger this week? If you have, please tell me all about it!” So in lieu of flowers, please pay this kindness forward.

A celebration of life will be held December 28, 2023. Location tbd.