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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.

 

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Funeral Services

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.

Condolences

    Theresa Ann Smith lit a candle and writes,
    My Deepest Condolences 🙏🙏 Goes Out To The Family,May Mr. Montgomery R.I.P. And May God Bless You All With Strength.🙏🙏
    02/18/2026 03:25 pm
    Kathleen Baffone lit a candle and writes,
    We are so sorry for your loss. He was a great “Pat” and now him and our Pat are saying Cheers together🍻…. May he rest in peace, kathleen baffone and family
    02/18/2026 04:07 pm
    Jack McLaren writes,
    Sorry for your loss Matt Montgomery
    02/18/2026 05:02 pm
    John Gallagher writes,
    So sorry for your loss. Pat truely had a great laugh. Missed seeing him around Wilmington.
    02/18/2026 07:08 pm
    Rick & Hillary Shade lit a candle and writes,
    May God Bless Pat and his family- our prayers are with you all. We both have many fond memories of Pat and good times with his son Chris ( our son Bryan and Chris have always been like brothers ), RIP Pat and God’s Peace Be With You.
    02/18/2026 11:27 pm
    Lisa Cranny writes,
    Pat, was one of my favorite bartenders to work with. He was always such a delight. I would walk up the stairs to go to work and his face was there. He would always crack jokes. He will be missed and remembered so fondly. Prayers go out to his family
    02/19/2026 09:11 am
    beth pelegrin lit a candle and writes,
    To a great man wih a wonderful personality and beautiful family God bless 💙🙏 Pat gave me a blessing of Sheri my beautiful daughter in law! Thank you Pat love Beth Pelegrin
    02/19/2026 12:09 pm
    Bill Spillan lit a candle and writes,
    Pat and I were lifelong friends and classmates all through Holy Rosary grade school and Salesianum. I think we were both charter members of the "tough guy corner" at O'Friels Our condolences go out to all of his family Bill and Loraine Spillan
    02/20/2026 12:47 pm
    Tiffany Gallagher writes,
    I am sorry for your loss and I will pray for you all and pray for the family and friends
    02/21/2026 06:36 am
    Kat corrigan lit a candle and writes,
    An Uncle, to a friend, family always to me. Prayers to heaven and for All family here on earth. God bless an amazing, funny, Irish man.
    02/22/2026 01:03 am
    Bob Lilley writes,
    RIP, Ol'e friend and Claymont KID ! If there ever was a "trademark" laugh, it was yours....
    02/22/2026 06:49 am
    Jeb Baker writes,
    So sorry for your loss. Monty was such a great guy to hang out with. O'Friel's and playing golf was such a blast. One of a kind.
    02/22/2026 11:35 am
    Charles (Chip) Proud writes,
    R.I.P. Pat. You were a good friend while I lived in Delaware. We had many good times while we knew each other in our twenties. Sorry I didn’t get to grow old with old friends. Pat was one of them. I remember his laugh as being contagious. Praying for peace for his whole family.
    02/22/2026 11:53 am
    Sean D. Montgomery lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Pat My brother and Friend will cherish your memory, your laughter, humor and friendship, SLAINTE 🍀 🍻 🙏 ❤️ Rest in Peace!
    02/24/2026 10:46 am
    Rose Pennington lit a candle and writes,
    Those were the days. Pat was one of the first friends Phil and I met thru duPont. Lots of fun, laughs, golf and Happy hours. Together. The “wind is at your back now , Pat. My thoughts and prayers are with those who Loved you
    02/25/2026 10:59 am
    Jill Di Sciullo writes,
    Kathy, children, and Pat's family, I am so sorry for your loss. May his memory be for a blessing.
    02/25/2026 01:18 pm
    Phil LaPrad writes,
    PM, From our early days of patrolling the streets in Claymont, sharing that 1st apartment, being charter members of the Broom St. 10 and Laird Bissell alumni, you have always been a great, great friend. I'm sure that where ever you are, you have made a host of new friends and found that Great Eagles bar. So save me a stool and I'll see you at Last Call.
    02/25/2026 02:11 pm
    Larry Herb Pelegrin writes,
    I was introduced to Pat (Senior) by my son and future daughter-in-law…Yes that Pat and Sheri. And yes it was at Kids. I got to know him and what a delightful and pleasant man he was, but….don’t even think about taking the corner stool. He owned that spot and everyone knew it. He was a fun man and I bet our Pats are smiling down on us from the “ Kids Above”! Cheers!
    02/25/2026 09:17 pm
    Kathy Wismer writes,
    Dear Sean, Eileen, & Matt, We are so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. May you be comforted by knowing those we love continue to live on in our hearts. With deepest sympathy, Carl, Kathy, & Brian
    02/25/2026 10:05 pm
    Theresa Ann Smith lit a candle and writes,
    My Deepest Condolences 🙏 Go Out To The Montgomery Family 💐 I also want to Add that, God Never Make Mistakes 🙏 That We Are All Here For A Purpose, And Once You've Served, The Lord, He Calls Us ALL Home! 🙏😭
    02/26/2026 02:32 pm
    Cooper & Debbie Pelegrin lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Sheri and Montgomery Family , Deb and I were so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad -Pat . Although we didn’t have the privilege of knowing him personally, it’s clear from his life and the beautiful stories and tributes to him that he was a devoted family man, a loyal friend, and someone who touched many lives. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Wishing you all comfort in the memories you hold and peace in the love that surrounds you. With our deepest sympathy, Deb and Coop
    02/27/2026 10:13 am

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