Vincent Gary Montrose

Vincent Gary Montrose December 20, 1947 - November 2, 2025

Vincent Gary Montrose - Vinnie, Monte, Sarg, Husband, Dad and Grandpa, Brother, Brother-in-law and Uncle Gary. Gary was born in Highland Park Michigan on December 20, 1947, to first generation Italian immigrant parents, Joe Montrose and Lucy Monte. He was raised in Dearborn Michigan in a cute brick house on Virgil St., with his brothers Dennis, Mark and Brian and sisters Carol and Susan. Gary graduated from Fordson High School and joined the Air Force in 1967 to avoid the draft. Gary traveled the world while at a lot of different duty stations during the 21 years he was in the Air Force.

Gary was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM in 1970. He had arrived from the Philippines where he had a stunning wardrobe of bell bottom pants with pleats in the legs and shirts with his name monogrammed on them. He was a stylish dresser and loved his Air Force dress blues. He was a very handsome young Airman who met Pamela in Albuquerque at the Bird of Paradise. He swept her away from New Mexico after they were married in April 1971.

Gary had completed his 6-year enlistment but didn’t stay away from the Air Force. He reenlisted in 1971 and stayed till his 1988 Retirement as a First Sergeant of the Red Horse Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany. That job was by far his favorite second only to TV Repair. He worked closed circuit TV for the launch of the space shuttles while at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida.

All who knew Gary, knew TVs were his specialty, pride and joy. There was a TV in every room in his houses. The house he built was even wired with knobs for individual sound control in each room. The over 4,000 square foot house he designed and built was his life’s legacy for all of his family.

Gary was often called a Genius. He could build, fix, make, or design anything. Before solar was popular Gary designed a completely off grid house with solar, wind, gas and diesel generators in 1995. The house he built is stunning with priceless scenery.

Gary was always interested in anything mechanical or electrical and computers. He built his first computer, a TRS-80. It was a Radio Shack build your own. He became a self-taught Computer expert and Computer Instructor in 1996, because his knowledge was more extensive than most.

He lost the use of his hands and legs due to a spinal cord injury in 2016. This was tremendously devastating to his way of life. He was always building or fixing something. He didn’t give up. He kept on doing, figuring out stuff like holding things with vices and magnets.

In December 2023 he was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer. He didn’t believe his diagnosis and doubted the Doctors knew what they were telling him. He moved to Tucson, AZ for treatment. They told him he would likely live another year. He underwent Chemo and Radiation in early 2024. They said he couldn’t handle it. He did. He was then told there is no evidence of cancer He went back to the house he built in NM cancer free.

In 2025 the cancer returned and spread to his brain. Immunotherapy and radiation were pursued. It was exhausting for him. It left him sleeping most of the days following and all night.

Cancer did not stop his curious mind. He watched You Tube videos daily and was still learning new things and researching all the places he would go. His mind was still busy building and doing things. Gold Prospecting was always his favorite hobby. He did find some small pieces but was always planning his next trip with the new equipment he had gathered.

Gary was the most giving person ever. If you asked him to fix or build something for you, he was on it and was relentless. He would not stop until the project he’d started was finished. There is a Keurig coffee pot in about 20 pieces at home that he’d decided he was going to fix just last month.

He was a perfectionist and if you were going to help him you had to assume the role of assistant. He would be completely in charge of how the project would be done.

Gary was a dedicated Husband, Father and Grandfather. He was always thinking of his family’s needs. Gary was a loving, good and honest man.

Gary is a Roman Catholic.

Gary said, “Jesus needs me” and he has gone to build for Jesus.

He has left:

Son - Joseph Montrose wife Marilyn and Grandsons Joseph and Robert

Daughter - Denise Montrose and companion Justin

Wife – Elizabeth Pamela of 54 years

Brother- in- Laws; Juan and wife Annette, Ronnie and wife Lorraine

Sister-in-Laws; Judy and husband Raymond, Tina, Barbara, Cecilia and husband

Steve, Sandra and husband Joe, Christine and Melanie.

Brothers Dennis and wife Cathy, Mark and Brian

Sisters Carol and husband Paul and Susan and husband Bill.

Gary’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church

On November 26th @ 1000 in Tucson, Arizona

Gary will be laid to rest on February 3, 2026, at the Arizona Veteran’s Cemetery at Marana in Arizona @ 1200 Hrs.

With full Military Honors

VINCENT GARY MONTROSE

A MASTER OF ALL TRADES