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Harold (Monte) Montgomery Engelson
August 31, 1939 - April 18, 2021
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Harold Montgomery Engelson, also known as Monte or Mr E, passed away after a short illness on April 18, 2021 in Campbell River BC at the age of 81.
Monte was born in Burns Lake BC to Harold and Anna. He lived in many BC communities growing up which include Fraser Lake, Fort Nelson, Bella Coola, Prince Rupert and Masset. He graduated from UBC in 1962 with a degree in Phys Ed, where he met his wife, Coral. After graduating he became a teacher and spent his first years teaching in Kitimat but spent the majority of his career teaching in the Cowichan Valley.
Monte was an active and curious person. He taught gymnastics and sailing lessons. Later he switched gears to teaching computer literacy as the computer coordinator for the Cowichan School District. Over his years he was an active member of the Maple Bay Yacht Club,the Maple Bay Volunteer Fire Department, the Cowichan Valley Masonic Lodge and the Shrine Club where he was a friend and mentor to many.
Monte’s curiosity led him to becoming the family historian, researching the family tree and writing several books about it. He was the glue that kept the family connected.
Monte was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Harold, his brother Brian and his wife, Coral. He is survived by his brother John Herrick, his son Rodger (Tamara), his daughter Cordelia (Graham), his grandchildren Dallas and Anna as well as nieces, nephews and many cousins.
He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the House of Friendship Society in Duncan.
A private Celebration of Life will be held on May 16, 2020 at 12:00 P.M. under covid guidelines. Livestream is available through https://www.distantlink.com/Wallace.html
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Sharon Taylor Roberts
Relation: Friend of 40+ years.
Good bye, Monte. Friend, father, grandfather, husband, teacher, coach and author, and fantastic at all of them. I will miss you so much. Visiting you was always a highlight of my trips to the Island. Much love. 💖
From: Chris Plummer
Relation: Cousin
We were all sad to hear of Monte’s passing. But we were happy to hear that he must have left this life with love and joy in his heart because of the wonderful nurses and family who gave him the best they could to help him make the passage to the next life. Our families hope to honor Monte for his fine work on out behalf. He was the source of many of our gatherings. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. It’s all good.
From: Sylvia Flanagan Dowd
Relation: Cousin
My parents, Viv and Thelma Bates and I attended cousin Monte’s UBC graduation. I sat next to Brian and Uncle Harold and Auntie Anna. Brian and I were 16ish and wanna be drivers. We sat reading our drivers’ manuals as some the speeches were beyond our interest level. I mourned for Brian when he was killed and now I mourn for big cousin Monte. We loved them both. What a diplomat for our family!!!
From: Ken Christofferson
Relation: Friend and Masonic Brother
My sincere condolences. I knew Monte as a Freemason and a Brother to me at Malahat Lodge 107 in Mill Bay, BC. Monte was a friend and mentor to all and exemplified the best qualities of Freemasonry. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
From: Ronald E. Bates
Relation: Monte was my first cousin.
Of course I have known Monte all my life, being 10 months younger than him. I got to know Monte well when I spent 2 weeks with him at Qualicum Beach. I remember Monte, Brian and I peeling a sack of spuds for Uncle Harold’s fish and chips business before we could go fishing or swimming. Judy and I will miss all your good videos and stories of the family. We are saddened that you had to leave us so soon. God’s Blessings.
From: Terry Landry
Relation: A Brother Mason, Shriner and Friend for many years.
The Cowichan Valley Shrine Club sends our deepest condolences to the family. Noble Monte will be in our hearts forever. He will be missed but not forgotten.
From: Peter and Maureen Alexander
Relation: Friend and colleague
We worked with Monty for many years in the Cowichan School District but he was more than a colleague he was a good friend. Our families spent many fun hours together at each other’s homes and on ski trips. He was caring, generous and always ready to help.
Computers were just coming into the schools and many of us were out of our depth so it was not uncommon to hear, ‘Call Monty he’ll know what to do’.
All the books he wrote and the memories he recalled are treasures that give a glimpse into his amazing life. We have read them all and copies are currently in the Mill Bay/Malahat Historical Society library to be enjoyed by the many members.
We chatted often in the last few years and he shared his love of family, the many trips he had taken and his participation in all the Masonic functions.
He was truly an inspiration and will be greatly missed.
From: Larry Sigmundson
Relation: He was a Brother Mason.
I had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Very Worshipful Brother Monte as a Mason and a Shriner. He was a kind and gentle person who was well loved and respected. I’m sure that at every public event I attended with Monte, one of his former students would come up and give him a hug. He had a rare quiet nobility. He was always offering help and was very active on many committees. He will be sorely missed.
From: Sharon Anderson
Relation: Friend
Dear Monte, such a kind and gentle man. I worked with him in the local school district for a number of years and always enjoyed his stories. I will miss him. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
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