Philip F. Fons

Set sail for his final port of call September 5, 2013 at the age of 73. Devoted father of Graham Fons (Teresa Zehren), T. Michael Bathke and Claire (Brad) Bittner. Proud Bumpa of Emma Grace and Mia Bathke , Lilly and Isabel Bittner. Beloved brother of Leonard C. (Patricia) Fons and Nancy Fons (the late Dr. Nicholas Conforti). Caring Godfather of Lynn Marie Fons. Further survived by Karen Dimberg, nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends and the members of the South Shore Yacht Club. Preceded in death by his parents Leonard C. and Marjorie A. Fons, grandparents Louis A. and Cecilia M. Fons, his sister Mary J. Canning and his aunt Eleanor B. Fons.

Philip attended Don Bosco High School and was an alumnus of Marquette University. Philip was later drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as Specialist Fourth Class of the 501st Military Intelligence.

Philip was the Owner/President of Fons & Co., a reputable insurance agency on Milwaukee’s south side. The company was originally founded in 1887 by Philip’s grandfather Louis A. Fons as a real estate, insurance and mortgage loan firm. Passion for hard work and strong business ethnic were inherent family values that Philip reflected in his father Leonard C. Fons, an attorney, former state senator and mayoral nominee. Upholding the legacy and his admiration, in 1972, Philip was elected President of Fons & Co., an agency that succeeds through the fourth generation.

Philip was a life member of the South Shore Yacht Club, which he joined in 1953. His continued achievements in sailing were as vast as the Great Lakes he sailed. He won 23 of 25 races in 1972. In 1974, he was the Lake Michigan Yachting Association Champion and represented LMYA in the Richardson Cup in Toronto. Philip competed in a total of 41 Mackinac races, which he started when he was only 14, and was the youngest to achieve the honor of Old Goat from the Island Goat Sailing Society. Philip also sponsored the Richard Tanger Memorial Regatta, an annual race that honored one of his best friends and SSYC comrades, veteran Richard “Dick” Tanger.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Eugene’s Catholic Church (7600 N. Port Washington Rd Fox Point). Visitation will be held from 9am-11am until time of Mass. Private interment at St. Adalbert Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the SSYC Juniors Program. In addition to the lifelong friendships he established through the juniors, Philip also valued youthful spirit and the importance of investing in our future.

“Never had a bad day in my life”