Christopher Michael 'Chris' Montello-McNeil

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Christopher Michael Montello McNeil, who left us peacefully at home on February 6, 2026, at the age of 52, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and under the compassionate care of Hospice of Savannah. After a courageous battle with cancer, Chris remained strong, positive, and full of humor until the very end.

Born on June 6, 1973, in San Diego, California, to Christopher P. Montello and Kathleen McNeil. Chris grew up in Coronado Island before moving to Santa Barbra, CA. He graduated from San Marcos Highschool in 1992, where he played football as a lineman all four years and continued playing briefly in college. He later earned a bachelor's degree in History from Humboldt State University and was a proud member of the CHI PHI fraternity. Chris proudly served in the United States Army from 2004-2010 as an Avionics, Electrical, and Weapons Technician on Apache helicopters. He served in Korea and in Iraq during the Persian and Gulf War. Following the Military, Chris worked for L3 in Kuwait for a year and later served as a contracted technical advisor to the UAE military from 2012 to 2016. Upon returning home to the United States, Chris worked for Boeing from 2016 to 2017 before securing his permanent position as an Avionics technician at Gulfstream Aerospace, where he worked from 2017 until he became ill in 2023.

In 2009, Chris met the love of his life, Michelle. They were married on Veterans Day in 2011. He cherished being a husband and stepfather to Josh and Haley, loving them as his own. Family was his greatest joy. Chris loved football and building models, but most all he treasured time spent with his family. Everything he did was for them. He would do anything for anyone in need. His heart was as big as his smile, and he never met a stranger. Known at his infusion center as the “Hope Dealer,” Chris encouraged others throughout his cancer journey with kindness, humor, and faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Christopher P. Montello and Kathleen McNeil-Pickens. Chris is sadly missed by his wife, Michelle; his children, Josh and Haley; his stepfather, Jerry Pickens; his loving sisters, Raffianne Doyle (Shane, Charlotte, Jack, and Maggie) and Kathryn Macbeth (Adam, Mason, Marlee, Morgan, and Maddox); along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends who became family and his loyal dogs, Patches, Regan and Phoebe.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Negrea and the staff at Low Country Cancer Care, as well as Hospice of Savannah, for their compassionate care and support. We will forever be grateful.

Chris lived with courage, loved without limits, and left a lasting imprint on every life he touched.

In honor of Chris's bright and loving spirit, we ask that our friends and family proudly wear vibrant and colorful attire.