John Anthony Montalbano

John Anthony Montalbano was born April 9, 1925, in New Orleans, LA and passed away peacefully on July 18, 2023, at the VA Hospice in Biloxi, MS.

He joined the Navy July 19, 1943, and was assigned to the USS Hancock where he achieved the rating of Yeoman 1^st class and would have been recommended for CPO if he would have re-enlisted. He was awarded the Victory Ribbon and American Area Ribbon. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in May 1946.

John married his high school sweetheart, Earline Lucille Punch November 19, 1946, and was with her for 72 years until her passing in 2018. He worked in the oil and gas industry until he retired in 1984 at the age of 59.

He moved from his hometown of New Orleans to Diamondhead, MS in 1990, where he enjoyed many years of fishing, playing golf, visiting with many friends, and being an avid LSU fan.

He recently moved to Ocean Springs, MS where he was a resident of Lighthouse Assistant Living.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank Montalbano & Mary Calamari Montalbano; brothers Fr. Frank Montalbano OMI, Herbert Montalbano; sister Marie Louise Thomas; and brother-in-law Charles Thomas.

John is survived by his sister Theresa Montalbano Thumfart (Earhart), his sister-in-law Cheryl Montalbano, his nieces Theresa Williams (David), Marie Sapp (Rob), Charlotte Pence (Brian), Maria Fields (Jimmy), and other numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:00 am, Monday, July 24, 2023 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to a charity of your choice.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is serving the family.