Joan Genevieve Fonfara

February 8,1931-April 28, 2026

Joan passed away peacefully at the Fort Erie Complex and Urgent Care Centre, Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her husband Ferd Fonfara. Loving mother of Dawn (Joe) Pierrynowski, Susan Fonfara (Jim Hagar), Robert (Bobby) Fonfara, Arlene (Joe) Sodaro and Tracey (David) Schrantz. Dear grandma of fifteen grandchildren (Jennifer, Shauna, Marissa, Caitlin, Stephen, Kathryn, David, Maggie, Hayley, Elizabeth, Brennan, and Meaghan). Predeceased by grandchildren Christa, Matthew and Andrew. She has eight great-grandchildren (Jacob, Lauren, Silas, Sully, Evelyn, Henry, Riley, and Noah).

Joan Genevieve was born at home on South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario to George Wilfred (Honey) and Genevieve (nee Holland) Teal. She grew up in Ridgeway, went to Ridgeway Public School and graduated from Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School.

She had a career as a teacher at Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School and Fort Erie Secondary School. During that time, she and her husband built and operated the Summer Delight Restaurant on Gorham Rd., Ridgeway. It was known by the locals as Fonfara’s for 10 years.

Joan enjoyed many activities over the years. In her spare time, she loved to golf, garden, travel, bake, knit, socialize and ski. She was a long time Ridgeway Lioness and enjoyed George Hubert’s History Club. She was a member of the Bert Miller Nature Club, served on its board and was on the committee for enhancing and naturalizing Shagbark Nature Park in Ridgeway.

A special thank you to the staff of Garrison Place Retirement Home for their outstanding care over the years and to Dr. Scher for his compassionate care during this difficult time.

Cremation has taken place and a private gathering of family will be held at a future date. Williams Funeral Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

To support the wonderful work of the Ridgeway Lions and Lioness your donation can be sent in Joan’s memory by e-transfer to: [email protected] or by mail to Ridgeway Lioness Lions’ Secretary, 107 Ridgeway Rd., Crystal Beach L0S 1B0.