Francis “Pat” Montgomery

Francis “Pat” Montgomery , age 77, passed away peacefully at home with family on February 12, 2026.

Born in Chester, PA to James and Margaret Sheridan Montgomery, he spent his early years in Claymont, most of his adult life in Wilmington, and his last several years in Lewes. He attended Salesianum School graduating in 1966, and was proud to serve our country in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1970 when he was discharged to take care of his mother. He attended Goldey-Beacom and graduated with a degree in Business Management from Wilmington College (now University) in 1979. Pat worked for the DuPont Company for 28 years, taking an early retirement in 2001. After a year of boredom, he returned to work in numerous positions at Opportunity Center Inc, and ended his work career at Rock Manor Golf Course in 2012. He loved his family and friends deeply, even more than the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He had a great laugh and a strong sense of loyalty. If you were a friend of Pat’s, you had a friend for life. He had many buddies from “Tough Guy Corner” at O’Friel’s Irish Pub and later Kid Shelleen’s.

Pat is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Kathy) Laffey Montgomery, his children, M. Sheridan Pelegrin, Christopher Patrick Montgomery, and Jamie Shay Montgomery, all from Wilmington. He also leaves his brothers and their wives, J. Michael (Michele) and Sean (Eileen); his favorite sisters-in-laws, Mary Lou Rhodes, Ann Thurlow, Maureen Freel; his brothers-in law, Rick Rhodes and Ed Freel, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Pat was predeceased by his son-in-law, J. Patrick Pelegrin.

Friends are welcome to join the family for Pat’s memorial service at Chandler Funeral Home at 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, and memories and prayers will start at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, which was his chosen charity https:/supportwoundedwarriorproject.org.