Francis R. "Frank" Montello, Jr.

The world has lost a wonderful man -Frank Montello, 57 of Portland lost his courageous battle with cancer on September 29, 2010 with his family by his side.

Frank was born on August 28, 1953 in Boston, MA, the son of the late Francis and Anna (Murphy) Montello. He graduated from Hull High School in 1971. After high school, Frank joined the US Navy in 1972. He was stationed in Hawaii and received an honorable discharge in 1974. In 1975, Frank moved to Berlin, NH to attend NHVTC where he earned double degrees in Land Planning and Land Surveying. While attending NHVTC he met the love of his life and wife of 33 years Sylvie “Frenchy” Corriveau. They married on August 6, 1977 and move to North Conway where Frank worked as a land surveyor. In 1981, Frank graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Plymouth State College with a degree in Regional Planning. Frank and Sylvie moved to Portland that year and Frank began his career as a Real Estate Appraiser.

Frank and his partner/friend David Harrigan established Maineland Appraisal Consultants in 1986 .Frank taught courses both locally and nationally for the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, USM and the Appraisal Institute. Frank worked to earn and maintain his credentials including SRA in1987, SRPA in 1990, MAI designation in 1994. He was a Certified Maine Assessor and Certified General Appraiser licensed in both ME and NH. For thirteen years, Frank authored a real estate column for the Portland Press Herald. Frank also served as a Past President of the Maine Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.

Frank will be long remembered for his wit, his charm, his “Roses are Red” poems and his love for family and friends. To the end, Frank was all about the people in his life, not about his pain, his illness or his diagnosis. He loved his Patriots and his Red Sox, even when they were losing. He loved rock and roll music, golf, swimming, skiing and ice cream. But few things were more precious to him than spending time at his camp on Long Lake and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Frank adored his 3 children and spent as much time as possible with them whether coaching a sports team, cheering from the sidelines or just watching a movie, he cherished his time with them. He loved to travel and recently took the family on an unforgettable cruise to the Mediterranean. He also loved his dog Rangely who was a constant (and noisy) companion.

Frank contributed to his community by organizing YMCA golf tournaments and worked to establish the Richard Sawyer Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarship money for children of appraisers heading to college. This fund has recently been renamed by the Appraisal Institute and will now be known as the Montello-Sawyer Scholarship Fund.

Frank was predeceased by his parents and his brother Vincent “Penny” Montello. He is survived by his wife, Sylvie, his children Maxine, Dominic and Connor, his beloved Airedale Terrier Rangely, his brother Martin and wife Janet, his sister Marie and partner Mario Pinerio, mother –in-law Lucille Corriveau and husband Jules, brother- in -law Michel Corriveau and wife Donna, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Mercy Hospital, to the VNA Hospice staff, and to the entire Portland community that has reached out and shown their love for Frank.

Visitation will be October 27 from 4-7 at Jones, Rich, Hutchins, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A Celebration of Frank’s Life will take place on October 28 at 10 a.m., St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Montello-Sawyer Scholarship Fund via the Maine Appraisal Institute, 18 Vannah Ave, Portland, ME 04103 or Mercy Oncology Department, 175 Fore River Parkway, Portland ME 04102. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Frank’s Guest Book.