(Albany, NY) – Lifelong credit union leader and New York Credit Union Hall of Fame member Nino Montani passed away Nov. 17 at the age of 90. A Niagara Falls resident, Montani had been a devoted credit unionist since 1952, when he helped initiate the process that led to the founding of Hooker Employees FCU (now Niagara’s Choice FCU).
Montani served for 25 years as the credit union’s treasurer, as well as volunteer secretary, vice president and president of the board of directors. He also volunteered at the state level, serving as president of the Niagara Chapter and as a Credit Union Association of New York board member. He was inducted into the New York Credit Union Hall of Fame in 2002.
Earlier this year, Montani retired from his position on the credit union’s board of directors and was unanimously elected to the newly created position of director emeritus in recognition of his outstanding service to credit union members.
“Nino dedicated a great measure of his life to the betterment of credit unions, and he made a lasting impact on our statewide movement,” said William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the Association. “He will be missed by many—including those of us at the Association who had the pleasure of knowing him.”
Montani was also a veteran, serving in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant during World War II, for which he received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and American Service Medal.
In addition to Mary, his wife of 65 years, Montani is survived by three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The Credit Union Association of New York has served as the trade association for the state’s credit unions for 95 years. New York credit unions have assets of more than $57 billion and serve 4.6 million members. To learn more about the Association, visit www.cuany.org.