Montelle L. Small ’46

Being, at present, sound of mind and body, I thought I’d write my own obituary. Some might say these are my last rights (rites). So, let’s be on with it. I was born in Stonington, July 29, 1926, the only child of Harold A. and Alda E. (Goss) Small. My parents were wonderful people and, as a result, I had a truly great childhood. Growing up on an island off the coast of Maine is pretty hard to beat – swimming, boating and fishing in the summer – skating and sliding in the winter. What a blast! WWII was on during my high school years and many of us kids worked in the local shipyard.

I went to Maine Maritime Academy in Castine and on graduation (1946) I went to sea as an engineer. I had a great experience seeing the world and appreciating the people of other countries. I married Sadie “Babe” Eaton from Little Deer Isle in 1951. We had two daughters, Joan (Giles) and Linda (Johnston). I came ashore to except an offer from travelers Ins. Co. as a safety engineer manager of their Portland office. Life was good. We boated in summer and skied in winter. We went down home to Deer Isle/Stonington often and simply enjoyed life, then Babe passed away in 1987.

I was adrift for awhile but fortunately met a lovely lady, Eleanor (Caminiti) Caprio. Her husband, Bill, also passed in ’87. We married in 1991. Eli has a wonderful family of three daughters Linda and Phil Rowbottom, Barbara and Gary Johnson, and Donna and David Banks. Over the years we have traveled four times around this great country of ours. We have enjoyed our homes at Parsons’ Pond, Park Danforth and at Camp on Little Sebago.

Between us we have lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they all are a joy. I’ve talked enough, but didn’t cover all that I wanted to. So, now we come to what to do with me. I am going to have my ashes scattered in Eggemoggin Reach. I started out on Deer Isle and ended up there. In between, I had a great life – good wives – good kids – good jobs – so how can you beat that. Enjoy the rest of your life, be kind to your family and others, be honest, humble and a good citizen. “Au Revoir” (did I spell that right?)

Monty sailed off peacefully on a new adventure Feb. 24, 2021. Much loved and missed by all who knew him. Forever in our hearts.