Frank “Rocco” Montesano passed away April 13, 2018, at the age of 68. Rocco was born on July 27, 1949 to Ann and Rocco Montesano in Passaic, New Jersey, but was raised in Hackensack, New Jersey. Rocco graduated from The United States Naval Academy in 1971, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-1998. Rocco was promoted to Captain and was awarded two Legion of Merit medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal, and five Sea Service ribbons. He also served during Operation Desert Storm and was Commanding Officer of A6 Squadron VA176 (Thunderbolts) where he won three consecutive “Battle E” awards as XO and CO. He accumulated over 5500 Flight hours and over 900 carrier landings. Rocco moved to Corpus Christi in July of 1994 as Commanding Officer of NASCC and was proud to call it home.
He married his wife of 46 years on March 4, 1972. Rocco was the executive director of U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay for 20 years. He was a loving husband and father, who enjoyed participating in the Corpus Christi Mustangs, Corpus Christi Housing Authority, and Corpus Christi Rotary. He will always be remembered for his fantastic sense of humor, service to his country and community, love of sports, and exceptional devotion to his family. He played golf, basketball, and loved to garden.
Captain Montesano is survived by his wife, Joanne Montesano, son, Michael Montesano, daughter, Dr. Cariann Galloway, his sisters: Sue Connolly and Rosanne Rotondo; his brothers: Joe, Charlie, Jimmy, and Roy Montesano; son-in-law, Clint Galloway; Grandchildren: Kyleigh and Kase Galloway.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations sent to the U.S.S. Lexington Museum in his honor at https://usslexington.com/donate-to-lex/ (click on the link to this site on the bottom of this page under
DONATIONS USS Lexington which is underlined in teal).
Condolences may be offered at www.cagemillsfuneraldirectors.com
