The Rev. Hugh (Joseph) P. Montague, O. Cist., 91, of Hecla, passed away peacefully Saturday at Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street.

Born to Hugh and Catherine Barrett Montague in 1923, at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, he was the youngest of seven children. Father Hugh had five brothers and a sister.

After graduation, he was first employed by Canadian Pacific Communication, Saint John. Before entering the monastery, he was employed by Canadian Press as business representative and technical adviser, Toronto, Ontario.

Father Hugh entered the Cistercian Order at St. Joseph Abbey, Spencer, Mass., in 1953. He pronounced solemn vows there in 1959. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1982, by the first bishop of Allentown, Bishop Joseph McShea.

Soon after making his first vows, Father was appointed Cellerar, i.e., business manager at St. Joseph Abbey. He was later engaged in Spencer's fist American foundation in Argentina acting as business manager. He was later appointed business consultant to a Spencer foundation in Chile.

A graduate of St. Vincent Boy's High School, Saint John, he received his master's degree in theology from Seton Hall University, New Jersey. After extended reformation and renaissance studies, he earned his Master of Theology degree from Princeton University. At the Dominican Theologate, River Forest, Chicago, Illinois, he qualified for certification in Christian Spirituality. He trained in clinical pastoral studies at the Allentown State Hospital and did advanced pastoral studies at the Hamburg Center. He was a United States Catholic Chaplains pastoral associate and a certified member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

In 1965, Father moved to the Cistercian Abbey in Oconomowoc, Wisc., in preparation for the foundation of St. Mary's Priory, New Ringgold. He was one of the founding fathers of the monastery in 1967.

He was the last member of his immediate family.

Surviving are nieces and nephews from Father Hugh's six siblings.

Friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Hamilton Funeral Home Inc., Orwigsburg, and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Monday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church officiated by the Very Rev. Dr. Luke Anderson, O. Cist., prior of St. Mary's Monastery, and the Rev. Monte Peters, Father Hugh's nephew. Graveside services will be held in St. Patrick Cemetery, Pottsville. Contributions would be accepted and appreciated to St. Mary's Monastery, 70 Schuylkill Road, New Ringgold, PA 17960.

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