F. Peter Montenegro
January 17, 1956-February 20,2024

Francis Peter Montenegro (68) of Venice, Florida passed away on February 20 surrounded by his loving family. Peter fought a courageous battle with cancer for 8 years.

He leaves his wife of 45 years Maria Turchi and their sons, Michael Montenegro and wife McKenna and Joseph Montenegro and his fiancé, Miranda Stewart. He was the loving grandfather of Teddy and Rhodes Nora Montenegro.

Francis "Peter" Montenegro was named after his maternal grandfather and was the son of Betty Jane and Ben Montenegro, longtime residents of Ashland, Massachusetts.

Peter also leaves his siblings: R. Paul Montenegro and his wife, Joan Parcher; Debbie Montenegro and her husband, Don Gillespie; Bill Montenegro and his daughter, Maegan; and Ben "Chip" Montenegro. He also leaves many aunts, uncles and cousins as well as two sisters-in-law: two brothers-in-law and three nieces and a nephew.

Maria and Peter lived in Tolland, Connecticut for 29 years. Pete dedicated his volunteer time to Tolland organizations that supported local kids. He was a coach and board member of the Tolland Soccer Club. He helped to found, manage and coach the TOP Soccer Division that provided Buddies to handicapped soccer players and the Tolland Lacrosse Chapter of the Vernon Lacrosse Association which introduced youth lacrosse to Tolland families. He also helped to form the Friends of Tolland High Lacrosse which brought boys' lacrosse to the high school.

Other volunteer activities included two terms on the Tolland Board of Education, liaison to the town building committee during construction of the high school and deacon at the United Church of Christ Parish in Tolland, where he also taught Sunday school.

Peter was a 1974 graduate of Ashland High School where he participated in student government, football and track. He was the 1974 recipient of the AHS Boys' Scholar Athlete Award and the 1974 AHS Boys' Sportsmanship Award. Pete graduated from UMass Amherst in 1977 after receiving one-year of advanced academic credits.

Peter spent 40 plus years primarily in the road & bridge segment of the construction industry. He specialized in launching new construction technologies that were safer for people and for nature.

Visiting hours will be held Friday May 17, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA. A celebration of life will be held the following day for family members.

Donations in F. Peter Montenegro's memory may be made to the Ashland Emergency Fund/ P.O. Box 112 /Ashland, MA 01721 www.ashlandemergencyfund.org .