Monty Francis Zopf

Monty Francis Zopf died at home in Somersworth, New Hampshire on Monday October 21, 2013. Monty was 57. Cause of death is unknown however he suffered for many years with chronic health issues that worsened with age. He lived with pain daily.

He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 9, 1956. He was the son to Arlene (Carlson) Wise and Gerard Joseph Zopf (deceased).

Monty is survived by his wife Cheryl (Routhier) Somersworth NH; His mother Arlene (Carlson) Wise; His sister Megan Zopf Allenstown, NH; Brother Dale Zopf with wife Mary Dover, NH; His children Maria Zopf Dover, NH; Michelle Zopf Dover, NH and Cody Zopf Somersworth, NH; step son Ian Barry, Dover NH; Aunts and Uncles Joyce (Carlson) Turco, husband Ross Turco Kittery, Maine; Barbara (Carlson) Shearer husband George Shearer Boise, Idaho; and Joan Carlson Rochester, NH.

Monty has two grandsons Jonathan and Hayden, both sons to his daughter Maria. He has a granddaughter, Gabriella, daughter to Michelle that will be born within the next couple of weeks.

Monty was especially close to his nephews and niece; Joey Afienko, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Sean Bannon Norwich, CT and April Spencer Allenstown, NH. These are the children of his sister Megan. He also has several great nieces and nephews; Damien, Danika and Danielle Afienko, Caylee Spencer and Andrew Bannon.

My brother had a lifelong compassion for guns. He started his interest in guns when he was around eight years old. I remember him having a bullet display my father bought him. Then he used to take trips with my father to upstate New York where he started some target practicing. From there, his interest continued to grow and he started collecting guns. He knew how to take them apart, clean them and rebuild them. He at one time built a little cannon that could fire bullets. I spent a great deal of my younger life going to sand pits with him to practice my aim. He used to get a kick out of me shooting a high powered rifle that would kick so bad, I'd land on my seat.

Monty loved being around babies and adored his grandsons Jonathan and Hayden. He was looking forward to the arrival of his granddaughter Gabriella. Monty did meet my granddaughter Caylee and was immediately in love with her. They seem to have a mutual bond but Monty had a natural connection to babies. Monty would always ask me how his baby (Caylee) was doing every time he called. He never ended a phone call with me without asking how my son Sean was doing. He always kept track on how "everyone" he knew was doing and if anyone was in need of anything, he was the first one who offered to help.