Antonio-Montoya-Obituary

Antonio Montoya

East Boston, Massachusetts

About

LOCATION
East Boston, Massachusetts

Obituary

Send Flowers

As the initial shock subsides, Antonio Montoya's East Boston household is thinking of what lies ahead for their tightly knit Colombian family, one that has always been together for its most important holidays.

"There's never been a (Dec.) 31st that we've been separate. He always wanted the family to be together that day and Christmas," said Montoya's son, Jorge. "Wherever he was, he would always come home. It's something we bring from Colombia. All the family should be together to pray to God for the New Year. I know that's going to be hard for my mother and for us."

Montoya, 46, was among the passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 when hijackers slammed the plane into the World Trade Center. He came to the United States with his wife and son 20 years ago, and they had since had two daughters. He was looking forward to visiting his sister in California, his only sibling in the country. It had been years since he last saw her.

"He went by himself. He said next year, all of us will go," his son said.

A reservation mishap had him flying that Tuesday, instead of Monday, his son said.

Since then, family members have struggled to find a sense of closure without a burial. Mass was said for Montoya the Saturday after the Sept. 11 attack, and employees at the Boston Harbor Hotel, where Montoya worked as a houseman, tended for three weeks to hundreds of candles burning in the hotel's pavilion in tribute to Montoya and others killed in the terror attacks.

"He was just a wonderful individual, well liked, very popular. When you work in a place for 12 years, you know everyone," said Paul Jacques, the hotel's general manager. "A lot of people took it hard."

For nine days after he died, family members and friends gathered to pray in the Montoyas' home. His wife has prayed alone since then, their son said.

"My mother says if you have faith in God, God will help you to face these things and give you strength to move on," said Montoya's son. "For me, my father left and he just never came back. We know they won't find him."

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Twenty years has passed. But every year on this date , I remember the kind co worker , who sometimes would bring me a cup of tea or water when I was working at the coat room during the winter. And say a prayer for Antonio Montoya and his family. God will always be you you all. We will never forget.

I'm Jacob, and I am a sophomore at Shanley High School, and I am researching about Antonio Montoya for a project. I have come to realize that Antonio was an amazing person and that everyone liked him and cared about him. He was a great man and I send all of prayers to him and his family.

We will always remember you and all the victims of 9/11, and may you rest in peace. Over the past couple of weeks, I had the opportunity to do a research report on your life and the good that you did in this world. It was a great experience and my honor. I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your family during this time of the year.

As we enter this difficult time of year, when your family liked to be together, I know that it is very difficult and painful to go on without Antonio, but we must trust that God will bless each of you in special ways. I pause today to pray for the family specifically, and to Antonio's many friends as well. Much love from Texas,

In Memory
With Honor & Respect.

may you rest in peace. We will always remember victims of 9-11, praying for your family . God just needed an angel like you. Family always do what your dad would been proud of. Carry his legacy.

Praying for Antonio's family at this difficult time of year.

We will NEVER forget!

On September 11, 2014, I rode with the 2 Million Bikers to DC and 9/11 Truckers on the memorial ride to DC. Our tractor trailer was the lead truck. Each participate was given the name of someone they were riding in remembrance of...I was given Antonio. Just wanted to let you know that Antonio, along with the thousands of others, will never be forgotten.