Monty spent his childhood in Merrillville, Indiana-- with some of his fondest memories being hanging around his dad or his uncles in the garage—fixing cars, getting his hands dirty, absorbing stories about anything and everything (as well as some very unfortunate jokes, which he would bestow upon his family and friends for years and years to come).
From these interactions he developed a bond to his Italian roots, his big personality, and a passion for cars that would ultimately evolve into a career.
In his early teenage years in 1968, Monty and his younger brother John got the news from their parents that they were packing up and heading west to Arizona.
Despite their resignation, they eventually settled in, landing jobs earlier than the “smaller” teenagers in Arizona, thanks to their swarthy, corn-fed Midwestern looks and stature. During this time the brothers also assisted their parents in several family-owned businesses after school.
True to the Cartolano family entrepreneurial spirit, Monty’s knowledge of cars and how to repair them led him to create his own business – in which he spent the rest of his life buying, repairing and selling vehicles.
Monty was boisterous…loud…stubborn…on your side in a heartbeat if ever you complained to him, and always armed with a wacky joke or two—or ten (“What did the headless horseman say to his shrink? – I ain’t got no-BODY”). He could talk your ear off about the same things repeatedly, but he could also listen to your problems and commiserate without judgement.
His interests were as colorful and as varied as he was. He had multiple collections of things that mattered to him, such as a wall of license plates from (nearly) every state. He owned several hearses. His favorite way to relax included laying on the floor by the TV watching horror movies or old Twilight Zone episodes with his dog. He loved a good steak, regular (not diet!) soda, and going to Sonic for “taters” (of which he would also get a separate order for his dog). He enjoyed Ebay a little too much. He loved talking on the phone to his friends, cousins, and going to his friend’s shop to help out and socialize. He also very much enjoyed joking around with his brother, sister-in-law, his nieces and nephews & their children. In turn, he was often the subject of practical jokes, such as when his nephew buried some strategically placed Skittles in his mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving.
If something went wrong in Monty’s life, it was most frequently the fault of someone that likely “drove a Harley & smoked a crack pipe”. His family will no doubt always remember these sacred words.
On the flip side, and last but certainly not least—anyone who knew Monty knew about his intense love of dogs. He was fiercely protective & passionate about dogs of all kinds—but especially the ones he had owned over the years. Even the thought of a deceased pet could bring tears to his eyes, and those moments were when Monty’s good heart was most clear, open and visible. He spoke at every turn about his animals—“Sarge is ma’ son… I’m gonna take him out to chase girl dogs and drink beer”. He often told his family “If there are no dogs in Heaven, I don’t know if I want to go”.
On the morning of April 9, 2019, Monty had several heart attacks that he was not able to be revived from, and he went to be with his Maker at 10:07am. He now comprehends (with much happiness) that God would never allow a Heaven with no dogs.
He is survived by his brother John and his wife Kristi, four nieces & nephews (John Cartolano III, Gabrielle Wood [Truman], Andrea Sandry [Eric], and Michael Cartolano—as well as multiple grandnieces and grandnephews. Monty had two estranged daughters, Diana & Melissa. He also leaves behind his beloved Rottweiler, Sarge. He was preceeded in death by his father and mother, John & Marie Cartolano-- as well as his beloved dog, Penny.
Monty will be laid to rest on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 1PM in Resthaven Park Cemetery next to his parents.
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