(12/03/14) Fontana, Anthony J. Cmdr. Navy Reserve Ret, age 89. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna (Gioia) Fontana. He left this world on December 3, 2014; however he is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alma (Jackvony) Fontana of East Greenwich; two sons: Alan A. Fontana of Greene, RI and Robert P. Fontana and his wife Patricia of Lahaina, HI. The last phase of his life was spent at the Saint Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich where the care augmented by Hospice care was exemplary.
Tony graduated from Brooklyn Tech. HS, joined the Navy then went to Brown University to train as a Navy Pilot. Vision problems hindered his pilot training and was transferred to Notre Dame to complete his Officer\'s training. After graduation, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier, The USS Lexington. Post WWII he returned to Brown to complete a Mechanical Engineering degree. Here he met his future wife, married and settled in RI. He was called back in 1950 by the Navy to serve in the Korean Conflict. His ship, the USS Paiute, was part of the fleet that went to Thule, Greenland to support the building of an airstrip, the Cold War was on. His second year in the Korean Conflict was teaching Engineering at the Newport Naval War College. He then decided to stay in the Naval reserve and retired 20 years later.
Tony\'s professional life included several years as co owner of Gaspee Insurance. Later he returned to Engineering and was employed by American Optical Co. Fram Filters, G.E and E.G.&G. Sealol where he dealt with companies involved in aerospace, including components for the Lunar Module.
Tony loved the ocean and all kinds of boating, but from his 40\'s on his greatest love was flying. He would dream of flying while watching planes fly over his house in Brooklyn from Floyd Bennet Field when he was a boy. His dreams came true. His instrument rating allowed him to fly his own plane for business and pleasure. He belonged to the RI Pilots Association and the Quiet Birdmen, where he enjoyed the comraderie of others whose greatest joy was flying up there, in the blue sky. He had also built a boat which still lives on.
A funeral service will be held at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick on Tuesday, December 9 at 7 PM. Calling hours will be from 5-7 PM prior to the service.
Donations in his memory may be made to EGAPL, PO Box 184, East Greenwich, RI 02818 or The St. Elizabeth Community, One St. Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818. Remembrances may be shared at carpenterjenks.com.
↧