Frank Anthony Montella January 24, 1942 ~ February 3, 2023

Frank Anthony Montella Jr. passed peacefully at home in Blanding, UT on February 3rd, 2023, at the age of 81.
Frank was born to Frank “Bo” Montella and Afton Burtenshaw on January 24th, 1942, in Blanding, UT. He had five sisters: Connie, Teresa, Clara, Millie, and Brenda, and two brothers: Jack and James.
He grew up in Blanding and graduated from San Juan High School in 1961. Frank was very athletic and enjoyed playing baseball. From a very young age, he possessed a mechanical mind and could frequently be found working on cars or other machinery. After Frank graduated he spent a couple of years working for Quality Ford in Blanding.
During his time at San Juan High, Frank met the love of his life, Barbara Brewster. The two of them were married in Blanding in 1962. They were married for 61 years and spent their entire married life living in Blanding and Monticello. In 1963 they welcomed their first son, Tony, and had their second son Todd three years later.
In the early 1970s, Frank and his family moved to Monticello, where they lived for the next 15 years. While there, Frank worked for Young’s Machine as a Deutz diesel mechanic. He traveled around the Four Corners repairing Young’s shuttle buggies in various mines.
In 1977, Frank pursued his lifelong dream of owning his own business. He rented space in Blanding and founded Montella’s Repair. A couple of years later, he purchased a building and moved his business there. In 1987 Frank added a towing service to his growing auto repair and welding business.
Over the next twenty years, Frank’s shop continued to expand, though his proudest accomplishment over the years was that his company was a true family business. His youngest son, Todd, began working with his dad in the early 1980s and his wife joined him in the office in the 1990s. Over the years his towing companions became his grandchildren and, whether they were in a car seat or pulling chains, he enjoyed his adventures with them.
Frank continued to operate tow trucks up until his 80th birthday. He was a friend to everyone he met and loved sharing his vast knowledge about San Juan County with anyone passing through. As he drove Frank could point to nearly every place on the road and share a story of a car he’d picked up from there.
He is survived by his wife Barbara and sons Tony (Taura) Montella of St. George and Todd (Jeri) Montella of Blanding, along with sisters Teresa (Joseph) Dahle, Clara (Lyman) Palmer, and Millie (Steve) Marks and brothers Jack (Kathryn) Montella and James (Stacey) Montella.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Connie Nelson and Brenda Montella, and two grandchildren.
A viewing and private family service was held on Thursday, February 9th.
Note of Thanks
The Montella family would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to us during the loss of our loved one. A special thanks to Zion’s Way Hospice, Dr. Casey McCullough, Blanding EMTs, Guardian Flight, and the nurses and staff at Blue Mountain Hospital for the care they provided to Frank. We’d also like to thank the faculty and staff at Blanding Elementary School and the Danny & Heather Howell family for their generosity and presence.