VERNON H. Age 83, died January 21, 2012. He was the son of V. Henry Monteil and Lucille (Bourdon) Monteil and brother of James who died in childhood. Vern was born September 20, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Mary Ellen; his four daughters, Sharon Vaughn, Jeanne Monteil-Anatra, Diane Monteil Salas and Canace Monteil; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Vern received his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame and a Masters in Chemical Engineering at the University of Southern California. Initially Vern worked as a chemical engineer at Colgate Palmolive in Kansas City. He later moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation, doing research on liquid rocket propellants and solid rocket propellant production. He later worked for Aerospace Corporation as a liquid rocket engine specialist for the Mercury, Gemini and Titan rocket programs. Here in Albuquerque, he worked with the Air Force on their High Energy Laser program. Vern was a devout Catholic and an initial member of Risen Savior Catholic Church. He and his wife Mary Ellen participated in the Marriage Enrichment Program as leaders. Vern had a passion for helping others. He was the president of the non-profit organization ACT/ON Society, which was founded over 25 years ago to help people, particularly single mothers, improve their economic situation. He and other volunteers re-habilitated donated computers and gave them to children who might not otherwise have had one, to help further their education. More than 1,000 children received computers from the ACT/ON Society. Members of the ACT/ON Society also taught secretarial skills, maintained a women's business clothing bank and taught children about careers to encourage them to stay in school. In his vision for ACT/ON's future, Vern had hoped to create a "self-sustaining" community of single mothers that incorporated housing for them and their children. We will miss Vern. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ACT/ON Society, 6314 Edith NE Suite B, Albuquerque NM 87107 or any charitable organization that helps single mothers. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2012, 6:00 p.m., at French - Wyoming Chapel. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 27, 2012, 11:00 a.m., at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Visit our online guestbook for Vernon at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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