Phillip J. Montalbano, Sr.

June 2, 1936 – December 13, 2025

Phillip J. Montalbano, Sr., 89 years old of Rome, NY, passed away, Saturday, December 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Phillip’s legacy lives on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Phil was born on June 2, 1936 in Rome, NY, to the late Marie Antoinette (Doria) and Nicasio Montalbano. He graduated from Rome Free Academy and proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS John Hood, a chapter of his life he cherished deeply and spoke of often. After his Navy service, Phil and a fellow sailor and former high school friend dreamed of returning to his hometown to open a television repair shop. Not long after, in 1958, he met Judy Sipley, the love of his life and the beginning of everything that mattered most. They shared a loving union of 67 years and were blessed with six children.

Phil had a respected career as a Systems Analyst at Rome Lab. A pioneer in early computer programming, he was known for his steady leadership and thoughtful approach. His work earned the first-ever Comptroller Award. Phil served in the Parent Teacher Group at Turin Road School and was highly involved with Rome Little League, serving as coach, manager and umpire over the years. He also valued serving in his parish, St. John the Baptist Church. Before his illness, he could be found daily at the early morning Mass. He was a teacher, lector, altar server, and Eucharistic Minister, and he frequently led Liturgy of the Word services. In 2013, Phil was presented with the Immaculata Award for unsung heroes from Bishop Thomas Costello, honoring his excellence, faith, and quiet generosity.

Phil found joy in life’s simple pleasures—running, fishing, playing guitar, reading, and sharing coffee and stories with loved ones. Bowling was a lifelong passion; he took pride in a trophy for a near-perfect 299. A curious mind and early interest in computing made him a lifelong learner. He gave generously to his community and brought a quiet, steady presence to everything he did.

Phillip is survived by his devoted wife, Judy; his children, Phillip (Christine), Dino, Michael (Kristine), Maria (Jim), Nicholas, Jeffrey (Tara), and his grandchildren, Zachary, Nina, Anthony, Melanie, Camille, Anna, Olivia, Claudia, Nikki, Maya, Emilia, and Jacob, and several great-grandchildren, brothers; Nick and Rick (Julie) Montalbano; a sister-in-law, Louise Montalbano and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a brother, Anthony Montalbano, sisters; Kathleen Montalbano, Michaelena Thompson and Mary Jane Hendrickson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s name to: Memorials Processing, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Humane Society of Rome, P.O. Box 4572, Rome, NY 13442-4572.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, at 11:00 a.m., on December 19, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY. Military honors will be rendered.  The family will receive friends following the Mass.   Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. 

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, NY.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com