Victor Melvin Signori

Victor Melvin was born to Jennie and Victor A. Signori on March 1, 1933, in Great Falls. Victor passed peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital Saturday morning, March 25, 2017, with close friends and hospice at his side. He attended Black Eagle and Great Falls schools and graduated from Great Falls High School. He was proud of his first-generation Italian-American heritage, and pursued his genealogy as a hobby.

Born and raised during the Depression years, he and his sisters Leola and Victoria learned early in life the importance of work ethics. Using these ethics, he worked his way through college with numerous part-time jobs and working six summers for the Cascade County Bridge Department.

A part-time job he enjoyed was playing for dances. In the fourth grade, his parents bought him a saxophone and, with many private lessons, prepared him to participate in and appreciate music. He played in the junior high school and Great Falls High School bands and, during his sophomore year in high school, with several friends, started a dance band. They started to play for all the high school dances and continued to play for dances in the Great Falls area through his college years.

He graduated from the College of Great Falls with a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics and obtained a job with the Anaconda Copper Company as a computer programmer on their main frame computer. The computer industry was in its infancy, so all the training was on the job. The position was interesting and challenging, but came to an end when the company decided to consolidate to Butte and close the plant. He elected to stay in Great Falls and returned to college to acquire his teacher certification requirements.

He applied for a mathematics position at Shelby High School and taught the upper division math for 12 years. The opportunity to meet and work with a talented students coupled with cooperative administrators and staff made for an ideal work environment. While in Shelby, he attended the University of Montana during the summers, earning a master's degree and later a postgraduate Fellowship in Mathematics from Stetson University, Deland, Fla.

Having a desire to work in higher education, he apply for a position of Director of Admissions at Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University at Billings). He served in that capacity and at various times as Dean of Men and Dean of Students during his 23 years of service, retiring in 1988.

Professionally, he served as President of Montana Personnel & Guidance Association, Chairperson of the Montana Association of Registrars and Admission Officers and Montana State Representative to ACT (American Counseling and Testing Corporation) for 10 years. With other colleagues of the university system, he helped organize and implement what is now become College Night/Day programs in Montana.

Personally, his life changed dramatically when he met Sharon, the love of his life, best friend and caretaker. They married 1985 and, for 30 years, did everything together, living a very contented lifestyle. Their mutual interests, hobbies, family and friends took them to destinations throughout the country, with Maui always being their favorite. Their lives were enriched along the way with the addition of pets Scamper and Trouble and, in later years, Vincent and Gina.

Their love grew even closer when Sharon was diagnosed with cancer. Her battle became their battle with his devotion, companionship, encouragement, prayer and hope. Doctors from Frontier Cancer Center, ministry from St. Thomas Church, family and friends tried to assist Sharon, but she lost the battle. With her loss, he lost part of his life.

He is survived by sons Mark, John and Dean from a previous marriage; stepdaughters Marcy Torres and Barbara Hilbert; grandchildren Allison, Anthony, Katie and Matt; and nephew Jim Helgeson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his parents, Jennie and Victor; and sisters Leola and Victoria; brother-in-law Bill and nephew Greg.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2055 Woody Drive. Burial of Victor and Sharon will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls at a later date.

Contributions may be made to St. Thomas Catholic Church, Help For Homeless Pets or charity of your choice.