Thomas “Tom” Dominic Montella, age 94, passed away in Long Beach, California on July 25, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Tom was born on November 26, 1931, to Antonio and Angelina Montella in Los Angeles, California. At age 18, he proudly signed up for the United States Navy where he served as a radar operator in the Korean War. After his service, Tom graduated from Pacific States University, where he received a bachelor of science in electronic engineering. This led him to work for companies such as McDonnell Douglas, where he worked as a research engineer on the DC-8 and the Apollo programs, Rockwell International, where he worked on the space shuttle, and The Boeing Company until his retirement. In his free time, Tom loved to spend time at his cabin in the mountains, fix old radios, and was an avid toy train collector.
Tom is survived by the love of his life, Mary, with whom he shared 68 1/2 years of marriage; his daughter, Renee; and his three sons, Thomas, James, and Steven. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.