Saverio "Sam" Joseph Montalbano

Saverio (Sam) Joseph Montalbano; a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend, passed away on July 5th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Sam is survived by his children, Sammy Montalbano, Ben Montalbano (Jim Kovach) Houston, Texas; Vicki Montalbano O’Malley (Marty), Mobile, Alabama; Angie Dunston; Donna Montalbano (Jon Tanner), Pensacola, Florida; Patti Montalbano Sansom (+Paul); his sisters, Bebe Buchanan (+Sam); Marian Dinan (Bill), Mary Frances Cull (Teddy); sister-in-law Penny Montalbano, (+Dickie), Deerfield Beach, Florida; Ruby Romano (+Ben), brother-in-law Salvador Romano (Peg), Merritt Island, Florida; cousin Marian Rekus, grandchildren; Megan Montalbano, Joseph Montalbano, Keelia O’Malley (Brandon Krsak), Kara O’Malley (Dave Murray), Patrick O’Malley (Hannah), Caitlin O’Malley (Matthew Pavek), Donovan O’Malley, Dave Dunston, Michael Dunston (Lisa), Jeremy Knox, Michelle Duncan (Ryan), Helen Caroline Tanner, Emily Sansom and Sarah Zahn (Alex); great grandchildren; Mars Krsak, Theo and Benjamin O’Murray, Francis and Maeve O’Malley, Sam and Alexander Dunston, and Drew and Ryatt Duncan; cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, +Ann; his parents, Sam and Mary Montalbano and his brother Dickie Montalbano.

Sam was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in December of 1930. He attended West End High School, joined the Air Force, married the love of his life, +Ann, and soon began a family. After leaving the Air Force, he trained under his father to become a master wood pattern maker for the steel industry. Later, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to open his own pattern shop, buy and manage a motel in Panama City, Florida, open a sandblast sign business, and build houses.

Sam was a devout Catholic and lived his faith daily. He attended daily Mass for many years and had a devotion to the Blessed Mother, praying the rosary daily. Once he retired, he began making rosaries. When traveling, he and +Ann loved to visit Catholic churches wherever they went.

Sam was generous with his time and talents. He cooked for the First Light Homeless Shelter and Mary’s Shelter, and grilled for various church festivals. Over the years, he and +Ann volunteered with the L’Arche Community, now named First Light Community of Mobile. Sam made and donated sandblasted signs, including the one in front of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Thousands of rosaries that he made were sent to missions all over the world.

Sam embraced life to the fullest, embarking on thrilling adventures with +Ann, as they journeyed across the country in their RV. Being adventurous, he tried his hand at shrimping, gardening, and tending to various farm animals. The fun continued with his grandson, Dave Dunston, as they explored woodworking, beekeeping, and chicken farming. Sam and +Ann enjoyed music, dancing, and Alabama football. Sam was incredibly skilled in woodworking and built many beautiful items for his loved ones; including a boat, water skis, shoes, toys, and furniture. Family and friends enjoyed his barbecue, homemade Italian sausage, spaghetti and meatballs, and Italian bread. He loved working puzzles, watching movies and traveling with his family, especially to any destination that included water.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh and will be greatly missed by family, friends and all those who knew him.

Services will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1728 Oxmoor Road Homewood, Alabama. Visitation is Sunday, July 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 followed by the rosary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 10th at 11:00 am followed by burial at Southern Heritage. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to his favorite charity: First Light Community of Mobile,151 S. Ann Street Mobile, Alabama 36604, http://www.firstlightcommunity.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Montalbano family.