John J. Fontana

John J. Fontana, 84, of Southington, CT, beloved husband of Dorothy (Buzanoski) Fontana, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 21, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on December 4, 1934 in Meriden, CT and was the son of late Louis and Rose (Malchiodi) Fontana. A lifelong Southington resident, John was a graduate of Southington High School (class of 1952) and went on to American International College to play basketball and baseball and earn a degree in economics. After graduating, he returned to his hometown, as an educator and coach, to give back to the community that gave so much to him.

Along with his wife, John is survived by his five children: Michael Fontana, Laura Rothstein and husband Eric Rothstein, Christine Fontana-Hurd and husband Ken Hurd, all of Southington, CT, Rachel Fontana and husband Bryan Cole of Takoma Park, MD, and Alyssa Bunel and husband Aaron Bunel of Canton, CT. Also surviving is John's sister, Maria McQueeney of Wethersfield, CT, many nieces and nephews, and his pride and joy, his eight grandchildren: Lena and Lorenzo Fontana, Lexi and Katarina Rothstein, Nora and Zander Cole, and Lily and James Bunel.

As a teacher, coach, and man, John was devoted to helping others succeed. Throughout his entire adult life and up until his moment of passing, he worked locally, statewide, and nationally as a tireless advocate for children and young adults. As a history teacher for five years and guidance counselor for 39 years, John helped many students see their own potential and made sure students were receiving the opportunities they deserved. Outside of the school building, John was a NCAA Division I basketball referee for over twenty years and a respected and admired high school baseball coach for 41 years. He believed great teams were developed through strict rules and discipline, but also recognized the importance of compassion and understanding. In 1985, John established the Five-Star Baseball Invitational Academy allowing coaches throughout the state to nominate underclassmen to attend and be seen by college coaches and major league scouts. During his tenure as head baseball coach at Southington High School, he led his team to 669 wins, including two state titles, finished runner-up in six other state title games, qualified for the state tournament in forty out of forty-one years, and won twenty-four league championships. His record still stands as one of the winningest baseball coaches in the state's history. John's winning record extended to helping players succeed beyond high school with 192 players receiving scholarships to college, 17 former players signing major league contracts, and 4 players making it to the "big leagues". John's success as a coach exceeded far beyond the baseball diamond. He never stopped "doing" for children and young adults. John made it a mission to support the Pediatric Inpatient Service at UCONN Medical Center/John Dempsey Hospital every year. John and the high school baseball players would collect holiday gifts and deliver them with a cheering visit and extra attention from Valentine the Clown. Upon retirement, John continued to help student athletes across the state as the Executive Director of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) for the past 31 years.

Recognition of John's great accomplishments can be seen through his numerous accolades as president of the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) from 1992 to 1993 and being named the National High School Coach of the Year in 1993. He also received CHSCA Coach of the Year 1975, American Association of College Baseball Coaches Coach of the Year in 1976, District and National High School Coaches Association "Baseball Coach of the Year" in 1987, Gatorade "Coach of the Year" in 1992, CHSCA Hall of Fame inductee in 1987, Southington High School Hall of Fame 1990, National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999, and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

When not helping numerous children and young adults, John could be found enjoying the sunset over Breakwater Beach in Cape Cod with his wife, Dot, reading to his grandkids, and watching the Boston Red Sox or New York Giants. Coach will be missed and remembered by many.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, October 28th at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St., Southington. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday, October 27th from 12-4 p.m. at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington. For online condolences and direction please visit, www.dellavecchiafh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Toys for Tots https;//www.toysfortots.org/donate/default.aspx or American Stroke Association <https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/donatenow_stroke.html?s_src=desktop>.