Michael Montelongo Obituary

Mr. Michael Montelongo, Sr., 94-years old, a US Army Korean War veteran, and former semi-pro baseball player, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the Ozanam Nursing Home in Bayside, New York. Born on September 29, 1923 to Hermenegildo and Julia Montelongo, Mike and his 18 siblings grew up in Donna, Texas where he had a tremendous influence on them and was recently the "patriarch of the family" until his death.

Following in the footsteps of his father and his brother, Vicente, he became a self-taught vocalist and musician – trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, and guitar – and played in the First Army Band entertaining troops and dignitaries including President Eisenhower in the US and Korea. Mike served his country honorably in the US Army attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class.

The Army stationed him in New York City where he met and married his beloved wife, Helen Lugo Montelongo on November 22, 1952; together they had three children – Mike Jr., Lilly, and Danny – and dedicated themselves to providing them with better opportunities. To do that, he set out to get the education he needed; thanks to the GI Bill, he earned his GED certificate, took courses in accounting and bookkeeping, and – by day – worked as an Office Sales Manager for several Ford Motor Company dealerships until he retired.

Ford recognized his professional excellence with numerous accounting/bookkeeping awards, all of which he took great pride in. By night, Mike continued to entertain audiences with a band he formed and led called The Mike Monte Combo, a four-piece ensemble that played at many New York City venues during the 1960s and 70s. Mike's musical example was so impactful that his three children are musicians and vocalists in their own right.

Meanwhile, he and Helen worked tirelessly to achieve two goals – college for their children and homeownership; their dreams finally came true when their children attended college in succession beginning in the 70s and in 1977 when they moved their family from Manhattan's Lower East Side to Bayside Hills, NY. Sadly, Helen passed away in April 1995 and Mike remained in their family home until his death.

In his retirement years, Mike spent time doing what he loved – cheering on his NY Mets, strumming his guitar and singing his ballads, eating Mexican and Puerto Rican foods, playing pool at the local senior center where he was well known and respected by many, and cherishing his children and grandchildren. He often expressed how grateful he was to God for his many blessings, beginning in the farm fields of Texas and leading to the streets of New York – he closed each nightly prayer with "gracias a Díos." Mike's devotion to his immediate and extended families, his sense of humor, and his gentleness and boundless hospitality will be greatly missed.

Mike's legacy lives on with his loving children, Michael Montelongo, Jr (Sedona Tenison Montelongo) of Scottsdale, AZ; Lillian Montelongo Baietto (Anthony Baietto) of Bayside Hills, New York; Daniel Montelongo (Sara Terhune Montelongo) of Denver, Colorado and his cherished grandchildren, Amanda, Marie, Emily, Elena, and Liam.

Mike will also be missed by his surviving brothers, Leonard, Guadalupe (Margie), Cesar (Delia), and Ismael (Antonia) and sisters, María Elena Zepeda, Marcy (Luis) Alamia, and Gloria Castillo; his sisters-in-law Terry Theoharakis, Áurea Lugo, and Nilda Lugo and brothers-in-law Carlos and Emilio Lugo. Mike also has many devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins who were very special to him.

Mike is predeceased by his wife, Helen, his brothers Samuel, Vicente, José, Nicolás, Eulalio I, Eulalio II, Hermenegildo, and Silvestre; his sisters Evarista Barrientos, Juana Ibarra, and Margarita Lopez. Harden Funeral Home on 208-17 Northern Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 (718-229-3055) is in charge of arrangements where visitations will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 from 2-5pm and 7-9pm.

To celebrate Mike's life, a mass will take place at St. Robert Bellarmine RC Church on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 9:45am. Immediately afterwards, he will be buried alongside his wife at Flushing Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Ozanam Nursing Home IMO Michael Montelongo, Sr.

Arrangements under the direction of Harden Funeral Home, Bayside, NY.