ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Monti Rainbolt who left this Earth far too young at age 56, 

If you would like details on the Celebration of His Life we are having it on September 14th in Los Angeles so please email Traci Templin-Rainbolt at tracibelieving{at}yahoo.com, or Shaynee Rainbolt at Shaynee{at}Shaynee.com. (please note: {at}i s substituted for @ to avoid spambots)

Monti was a kind, genuine, talented, and interesting man of many hats (literally and figuratively).  He will be remembered fondly and with a smile by many and missed by all who loved him. As Monti liked to say with his wonderful Italian accent…An diamo :  Let’s Go!  He is on to the next adventure.  His bravery, tenacity and life force were lessons for us all.  He may have struggled at times, but he never, ever gave up.  Our lives are forever changed by him and we thank the Universe for the unique energy which manifested as Monti Santilli Rainbolt.

August 25, 2023
August 25, 2023
You are always with me. I just visited with Ted and Eloise a couple of months ago. We toasted in your honor and agreed on how much you are missed. I talk about you often to my students as you taught me so much about life and the film biz. I want to talk with you so much about so many things. I miss our 2 hour convos. Look for my dad up there. You two love a good laugh and are two of the funniest people I knew. 
January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023
Monti and Eva were two of a kind. Their laughter still rings in the courtyard at 1033 6th St. xxx
August 25, 2022
August 25, 2022
Thank you for all your incredible montiness. You definitely left an unfillable hole down here Mont. The boys and I miss you and often laugh and cry and share memories of you. Xoxoxox
August 25, 2022
August 25, 2022
Monti is unforgettable. The parties in the courtyard had his magical touch...as did everything else he did.
January 24, 2021
January 24, 2021
I miss you A LOT! I want to discuss what's going on in the world with you and hear what you think. I think of you often. I know you were with me the night I was driving home after a gig and the song El Paso, Marty Robbins, came on the radio. Thanks Monst! I needed that.
August 25, 2019
August 25, 2019
Such a great spirit. He lit up the lives of everybody who crossed his path, especially those of us lucky enough to live at 1033
August 25, 2019
August 25, 2019
Thanks for the unmistakable sign today Monti that you still watch over the boys and I and that you still have your sense of humor. The "Embarrassing Dance" memory which popped up today randomly on my FB page was clearly you. The boys and I miss you and remember you all the time. 
January 26, 2019
January 26, 2019
oh mont...we miss you. Feel your presence and your presents often. Happy Heavenly Birthday (the message is a few days late but the boys and I toasted you on your actual birthday).  You would be so impressed with who they are becoming...
xo Traci
August 25, 2018
August 25, 2018
You may be gone but are never ever forgotten. Hadiza says, hi. I miss you so! I miss our long, somewhat philosophical, 2-hour talks.
August 25, 2018
August 25, 2018
Such happy memories...such wonderful times...such amazing parties. But more than anything, such a beautiful soul.
August 25, 2018
August 25, 2018
4 years Mont...The boys and I miss you and talk of you often. And I thank you for all of the creative ways you let us know you are still watching over us. Thank you Monti. xoxo
January 24, 2018
January 24, 2018
The boys and I feel your absence every day Mont. We thought of you even more yesterday...it would have been your 6oth birthday...and I discovered an old friend of yours and I are fb friends through horses now...she responded when I posted on my page about your birthday, that she knew you "back in the day."  Who could ever forget you... <3
January 23, 2018
January 23, 2018
Happy Birthday Monstar! You would have been proud of the prop job I did in December. I channeled my inner Monti. Thank you for being the person who taught me, not only how to do props and art dept but so, so many other wonderful things. I still miss you sooooo much, my friend. Love you always!
August 27, 2017
August 27, 2017
3 Years today (Aug. 25) since Monti Rainbolt joined the Heavens... We feel his presence and get little signs and "gifts" from him all the time. 2 nights ago Theo Rainbolt, Arthur Rainbolt and I went out to dinner...it was the first time in months we had all been together. We went to a lovely restaurant, and while we were talking, I picked up my phone to check something and it dialed Monti Rainbolt's old phone number (which I never deleted from my phone and he uses it occasionally to communicate with me...this was not the first time). My phone did this completely randomly and without my finger being anywhere near where it would have had to have been to do that. The boys and I had a nice smile over that <3
August 26, 2017
August 26, 2017
Yours was such a bright light. I can't believe it's been 3 years. I still think of you all the time. There is any empty spot in my heart that you once filled. I hope you are having fun in heaven with your mom and dad, Aunt and uncle and Todd. Love you my forever friend.
January 24, 2017
January 24, 2017
We miss you Monti. 1033 6th St. misses you. Lots of love from David and #206
January 23, 2017
January 23, 2017
I wish you were here to talk about what's going on in the world. I miss having your uniquely Monti perspective.
January 23, 2017
January 23, 2017
Happy Eternal Birthday Monti,

It's been a stormy, wet and wild day here in Santa Cruz. So many memories rushing through my head about you and your amazing self. Miss you soooo much ," Mont." So I went down to your little " bohemian Apt." in Capitola. I did throw a flower off the wharf to honor you. Your boys were so lucky to have a Dad ( although , way too short ) as you were to them. I know you are watching over them. Gosh Mont , you still have my heart and I am so grateful we had some special times together.
love you guy and know you're missed.
September 3, 2016
September 3, 2016
Remember the Capitols Begonia Fest. Well I am there. Looking over @ your place and Lydia and you enjoying the beach. Soooooo many memories Mont. We laughed and you were in your element. Much love to your kids. I Wii make a sand castle for you.  Always Vic
August 25, 2016
August 25, 2016
Monti,

We miss you so much, but I'm sure that you and Eva are throwing a great party right now.

Love,

David
August 25, 2016
August 25, 2016
I can hardly believe it's been 2 years since you left us. I still miss you everyday. You may be gone but will certainly never be forgotten. You were a one of a kind.
January 23, 2016
January 23, 2016
Happy Birthday my dear, dear friend. I miss you continually. So many things we shared that I can't with others. You were a one in a million. How fortunate I was to have you in my life, You taught me so much. To quote the song in "Wicked", Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." I love you eternally.
August 25, 2015
August 25, 2015
Today is 1 LONG year since the unique and vibrant energy that was MONTI ascended from this planet. That energy lives on here in his 2 beautiful sons and in the memories and laughter he shared with so many people. He is missed by many. See you on the other side Mont...
August 25, 2015
August 25, 2015
Not a day goes by when I don't think about Monti! No words can ever express the lose I continue to feel with his passing. Especially, now that HEATHERS is having a bit of a renaissance. Thanks for the love and most of all the laughter. Always the laughter! Tell Joan and Robin I say, hey. You always did have good timing.
August 25, 2015
August 25, 2015
TEARS.... Mont : Quite a guy. You're thought of every day . Everyone who met you , would say " who is that guy ?? " There was always some hope that I would see you again. Talk of old times, our kids , laugh and laugh some more !!. Those were some of the best years of my life . Although , I am relieved that you are out of pain.. What strength and courage you had !!! To know how much you loved your Theo and Arthur and how much you were loved makes me smile . Your heart , your silly " off the wall " ways , oh and your laugh ... will always be with me . Forever and ever , Missed..
This video and music is so beautiful and Thank you for letting us all share Monti.... Love
September 18, 2014
September 18, 2014
I am so very sorry you have lost your dad, Arthur and Theo. Traci I am so glad you all were blessed to be together as he transitioned. It must have been a comfort to all of you and others dear to you whom I do not know.

He helped arrange and then hung special photos in my home office, and it was Monti who made a wonderful birthday video of Sherm and our guests several years ago.

What he contributed will always be a part of our lives.
Thank you, Monti.

Many many blessings to all who loved him.
He will hold his rightful place in your hearts, forever.
Love,
marjorie Loring Gauley
September 15, 2014
September 15, 2014
Andrea Muller 9/15/14 - I met Monti in the 80s when I dated a friend of his. I no longer remember the friend's name, but my friendship with Monti continued for 30 years (though we haven't kept in touch much lately). I have flashes of memories; moments in time when Monti was...Monti...unique, unusual, and endearing. When Monti and Traci were married, the L.A. reception was held at my home; a party at the Santa Monica apartment; Monti glowing with health and happiness as they waited for the arrival of their first child; a visit to his father's rather bohemian home; a day hanging out in my backyard with a cocktail and trading anecdotes about loves, lives, and careers. I'll miss him.
September 9, 2014
September 9, 2014
Monti you will be missed. We first crossed paths in the 80's and several times since ,like big looping sine waves in time. You were a unique and thoughtful creature, too human for show biz at times and at others perfect for the world of dreams on screen. I Enjoyed our mutual love of the Marx brothers,Nor Cal, music,slanted humor and the absurd.
My thoughts and prayers go out Traci, Theo, Arthur- Monti always spoke of you with such love and pride- a glow at mention of you all...

Rusted Mustang driving, Crazy life filled smiling,Outrage at injustice and still cynical view laughing. Character in all ways- thank you Monti-
September 8, 2014
September 8, 2014
Monti was a down to earth kind of guy. I always looked forward to talking with him. My memories of camp fire sing alongs and Monti playing the guitar and singing are forever etched in memory banks.

Only the good die young. He was a great father and he loved Arthur and Theo with all of his heart. 

I will sorely miss him. Larry Awbrey
September 7, 2014
September 7, 2014
I will miss our long conversations. Although we hadn't seen each other for way too many years, our bond was always just a phone call away. Looking at this slide show reminded me what a visual flare he had. I told him that they stole his look with Jack Nicholoson in "Witches of Eastwick". Monti taught me so many things. Since hearing of his passing my wonderful memories have not stopped streaming into my brain. Our trip to SF one winter break when we had to put gaff tape on the convertible top on the Mustang so it wouldn't make a whistling noise going over 60mph. Singing West Side Story through San Francisco. Teaching me to draw when I was in tears in Production design class.  Going dancing. You were a fabulous dancer. Of course he spent 5 days a week one summer in SD taking dance classes and eating elephant garlic from my neighbors garden. No wonder he didn't score. Hanging at your dads house where he was always writing the best shit of his life. In class when you were telling us your story idea and I blurted out "Wait that sounds like the movie, "The Stud", I saw the other night. I thought you would kill me. LOL And BTW...I can't stand them New Yorkers. The fact that you were responsible for my first feature film credits. One of my proudest career moments. More than anything I will always remember the laughter. We cracked each other up. You impacted my life in so many ways. Thank you my dear sweet Monstar. I'll miss and love you forever. Have fun with Robin and Joan.
September 7, 2014
September 7, 2014
How so very sad to open my email today to find the news on Monti’s passing. Monti and I hadn’t crossed paths or spoken in more than a decade, but I wasn’t surprised to see that he still had my information on his devices, as I still have his information on mine. Even though we had not kept in touch, I’d like to think that I still carried a little bit of Monti with me everywhere I went.

Monti and I met while working together on a long-forgotten TV show called “Mad Movies”. This was in 1985, before Monti got into the union and was just starting his career. Those were silly days and the show’s crew and staff had silly nicknames for each other: I was the 'Randster', there was a 'Kentster' and a 'Tomster', and I called Monti the 'Montster'. I thought it was clever but he never liked it.

We bonded for several reasons: His sense of humor, his laugh, his eccentricities, and his sincerity. I lived in the South Bay at the time, and Monti had grown up not too far from my place. We hung out a lot that summer, and he took me by his old house during one of his visits, recounting some fond memories. Monti gave more than he got from me. When we spoke of our dreams and wishes, I could see that Monti was not complacent with the status quo. I could also see that he was a restless spirit who was wise beyond his years. I think part of me wished that I could be as special as he.
 
The show ended and we drifted apart. Monti pursued his goals, his dreams and his ambitions, becoming a valued and respected crafts person in the business. I took another path and moved away from the L.A. area for a period. But we managed to speak once or twice over the years. I talked to him after his father Bill had passed, and I was aware of his marriage to Traci and that he was starting a family. He came by the apartment in Hollywood that I shared with my wife-to-be Susan.

I wish that I had done a better job of keeping in touch with Monti. It is heartwarming and comforting to see the pictures of Monti and his family, and to read the tributes. He became the person whose potential I saw and knew so many years ago. And, so much more.
 
I am grateful that I had a brief moment in time with Monti, and I am saddened by his passing. But I am also a better person for having known Monti. RIP my friend. My wife Susan and I send our thoughts and prayers to Traci, Arthur, Theo, Shaynee and all of Monti's extended family.
September 7, 2014
September 7, 2014
Monti was a big, sweet soul. He was a gifted and talented man who was quick to smile and offer a helping hand. He was a gifted musician and a deep thinker. The world is diminished without his bright light. My heart and prayers go out to Traci, Arthur, Theo, and all of his family.

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Recent Tributes
August 25, 2023
August 25, 2023
You are always with me. I just visited with Ted and Eloise a couple of months ago. We toasted in your honor and agreed on how much you are missed. I talk about you often to my students as you taught me so much about life and the film biz. I want to talk with you so much about so many things. I miss our 2 hour convos. Look for my dad up there. You two love a good laugh and are two of the funniest people I knew. 
January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023
Monti and Eva were two of a kind. Their laughter still rings in the courtyard at 1033 6th St. xxx
August 25, 2022
August 25, 2022
Thank you for all your incredible montiness. You definitely left an unfillable hole down here Mont. The boys and I miss you and often laugh and cry and share memories of you. Xoxoxox
Recent stories
October 24, 2021
I lost touch with Monti in the 90s, but thought of him yesterday and went online to look him up, and found this site. I'm so sorry to hear of his early passing. He was a wonderful person and great to be with. He was my high school best friend's cousin and we did a lot together.
My two favorite memories of times with him were at his little apartment on the beach in Capitola (Santa Cruz), and him taking us to concerts including Led Zeppelin, the Kinks and Jethro Tull. May his memory bring solace to his family and friends.

Birthday

January 25, 2019

Remembering Monti on his birthday , January 23 , 2019.  Will always remember and forever missed. Til we meet Again.

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