Joseph P. Fontana

Joseph P. Fontana, 74, of Wethersfield, loving husband of Virginia (Ambrose) Fontana for 48 years, died peacefully on Tuesday, (April 28, 2009). Born January 20, 1935 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Luca and Catherine (Albarelli) Fontana. He graduated from Weaver High School, Class of 1953; University of Connecticut, Class of 1957 and served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain. He retired after over 30 years of service with The Hartford Insurance Group as the Assistant Secretary of Group Life Insurance. He was an active member of the International Claims Association and the Health Insurance Association of America. Joseph was an avid tennis player and fan of tennis, soccer and football and UCONN basketball. He also enjoyed skiing, traveling, reading and his daily neighborhood walks. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his children; two sons, Gregory L. Fontana and his wife, Susan of Wellesley, MA, Mark A. Fontana, M.D. and his wife, Christy O. Fontana, M.D. of Virginia Beach, VA; a daughter, Maria F. Usewick and her husband, Jeffrey of Bridgewater, NJ; nine grandchildren; Luke, Brett, Brooke, Anthony, Joey and Isabelle Fontana and Michael, David and Peter Usewick; two sisters, Jane Finch and her husband, George of Cumming, GA and Madlyn DiLorenzo and her husband, Thomas of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; brothers-in-law; and sisters-in law, David and Geraldine Ambrose and Elizabeth and Richard Hiltgen all of Wethersfield and Ronald F. Angelo of Rocky Hill; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Antoinette (DePaolo) Ambrose and sister, Josephine 'Joy'Angelo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. Please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours are Thursday, 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield. Memorial donations may be made to Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, 80 Seymour St, P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com