MONTGOMERY, A. Roger  

MONTGOMERY,  A. Roger  

It is with heavy hearts that we announce on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Strathmore, AB, Roger Montgomery of Arrowwood, AB passed away after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 85 years.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Heather Montgomery; son, Andrew Montgomery; daughter, Lisa (Greg) Folliott; grandson, Adam Folliott; granddaughter, Taylor Folliott (Dre Grasdal); great grandson, Phillip Grasdal.

Rogers growing years were spent on his parent’s dairy farm at Toora, Victoria; 200kms from Melbourne.  Dairy farming never appealed to Roger so he was pretty sure he would not be doing that in his future.

Roger decided to leave the farm and attended Box Hill Boy’s school to finish high school. He then went on to the University of Melbourne where he graduated with a Science degree and a diploma in Education. After completion he then began teaching in Bacchus Marsh where he met Heather McCabe who he eventually married in Melbourne in 1965.

In 1966 they made a major move and landed a job overseas in Canmore, AB, Canada where he taught High School.  After one year in Canmore they moved to the Yukon where Roger was principal at the Mayo K-12 School for 4 years.  During that time, in 1968 they gave birth to their son, Andrew; and in 1971 their daughter, Lisa.

In 1971 Roger was granted his Canadian Citizenship and then shortly after that the family moved back to Canmore for 1 year then made tracks to Lomond, AB until 1974, all-the-while teaching in the public school system.  Eventually, family pressure lured Roger and his family back to Australia, where they resided for 4 years in Rockhampton, Queensland.

Deeply missing Canada, Roger applied and was granted a position as principal of the Arrowwood School in 1978 where he taught until accepting a Vice Principal position with County Central High School in Vulcan, Alberta and enrolled in the University of Calgary obtaining his Master of Education.

Roger loved the people and the community of Arrowwood, always willing to help out volunteering in many ways from Driving bus for school functions, judging photography/4-H Speeches. He also loved playing guitar and camping. He was a member of the Arrowwood Lions Club, the High River Tennis Club and the Arrowwood Rifle and Pistol Club.  Hunting and his beloved firearms occupied a significant portion of his spare time always anxious for hunting season.  After retirement, Roger made numerous acquaintances through his business, “Shooters Choice”.

A Celebration of Rogers Life will be held early September with dates and times to be confirmed.

Memorial contributions made in Roger’s memory may be made directly to either the Arrowwood Lions Club or The Arrowwood Community Hall Fund.

To send condolences, please visit Roger’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca.