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05/11/2023 02:17 PMOn May 7, Roger Nelson LeMontangue, 95, a longtime resident of Madison, passed away peacefully at his home. He was the beloved husband of the late Catherine R. LeMontangue for 74 years. Roger was born in Guilford on Sept. 19, 1927, son of the late Cleveland N. LeMontangue and Dorothy A. (Bissell) LeMontangue. He was the loving father of Lisa LeMontangue (Scott Erickson) of Westbrook and Jay LeMontangue (Jackie Russo) of Clinton. He is also survived by two granddaughters whom he adored, Megan Erickson and Catie LeMontangue.
Roger was a graduate of Guilford High School, where he participated in the Future Farmers of America. He was a member of the Guilford Grange, the Madison Rotary Club, and the East River Reading Room organization, where he served on the board of directors. Roger’s longest and most favorite affiliation was with a local men’s hiking group called Keyart’s Klamberers. He preferred to hike at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently to point out interesting plants, topographical features, or human-created structures to his hiking companions.
Roger worked as an electrical contractor until he and Catherine opened Eagle Electric Supply Company in Madison in the early 1960s. After retiring, they traveled in their motorhome to Disney World, Nova Scotia, and the Midwest. Their international travel destinations included England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and the Panama Canal. Roger was a lifelong Yankees fan, and for several years, he and Catherine attended spring training in Florida. As a result of their frequent trips to Vermont, Roger developed a strong appreciation for real maple syrup. In his 70s, he began tapping maple trees throughout his neighborhood in Madison. Over a period of almost 20 years, he collected thousands of gallons of sap and delivered it in barrels to Scott for boiling down. Roger’s work ethic was extraordinary; even in retirement, he was never idle. On any given day, he might be found on his tractor plowing a field, making coatracks to gift at Christmas, or helping one of his children with a home improvement project. Roger was perhaps best known for his big smile and sense of humor. As noted in his high school yearbook, he had a joke for every occasion. Roger’s devotion to his family, gracious generosity, and amusing anecdotes will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Friends are invited to an outdoor reception honoring Roger at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Roger and Catherine’s home, 116 Boston Post Road, Madison. There will be a tent, but please dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes as the ground is a bit uneven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Guilford Land Conservation Trust (which manages the Westwoods trail system, one of Roger’s favorite hiking spots) Box 200, Guilford, CT 06437 www.guilfordlandtrust.org/support/ Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.