We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
This story started out as a welcome article to a new Knight – John Monturo. John spent the first 26 years of his life in Poughkeepsie New York. John said the city was “mostly Italian and 99% Catholic”. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s degree and used them for a short time teaching college history courses at Paris Junior College – Greenville branch. Sometime in the 1990’s John decided he wanted to learn to speak Spanish, and so was introduced to Juanita – his new Spanish teacher. A few years later in 1998 they were married. Juanita now works at Cook’s Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth as a transition specialist. John was now reluctantly retired because of surgery to remove a brain tumor. During this difficult time John said “I turned everything over to God. I was told I probably wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, or see after the operation, but everything worked out just fine” John was brushing up on his guitar skills as well as setting puzzles with Juanita. He was also exercising regularly as he teaches Juanita how to swim. John was currently writing three books all at the same time. John joined the Knights because he “wants to give back”. He said he was “willing to help wherever needed”. Sadly this story has an unhappy ending. It is with utmost sadness that we announce the passing of our brother Knight John Mario Monturo. John passed away Tuesday September 7th, one day before his 61st birthday and a just 5 days from his 23rd wedding anniversary to Juanita. John had suffered some serious illnesses in the last few years and was in a more fragile state than his steady demeanor indicated. John joined the Knights this past July and was very excited to become a member of the Knights of Columbus and helped with the sanctuary restoration. Juanita said he had checked out the Cedar Hill concession stand because he thought we might be calling for help. John and Juanita were very happy to have attended our Awards Ceremony in August. They have an adult daughter, Laura, who lives in Keller. While we knew John for only a short, we will miss his happy demeanor and his helpful attitude.
