Bill Fontano

He was educated in S.A.I.S.D., attending Grant Elementary, Dunbar Jr. High and graduated from Louis W. Fox Tech in 1961. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and often spoke fondly of memories he experienced aboard the USS Pollock, when they would go out to sea and his time spent stationed in Boston, Massachusetts with his then wife Helen and welcoming his first born, Michele.

He and his mother Alice were the first mother and son to graduate from St. Phillips College in 1968, were he earned an Associate Degree. He attended St. Mary's University and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Bilingual Education. Dad could speak every dialect of Spanish fluently. He then went a step further, and earned a Master's Degree in Education as well. He always stressed education to his children, and lead by example, supporting and encouraging us to always strive higher and higher.

He married Helen Rice in 1963. To this union, 2 daughters were born, Michele R. and Coyliss Yvette. Dad was a devout family man and made sure we spent lots of time with our large extended family. This union lasted 9 years.

He married Gloria Acosta in 1972. To this union 3 sons were born, Rene Ricardo, Mario Guillermo, and Rey David, completing his family with sons and daughters. This union lasted 30 years.

He supported his family making sure to attend football games and other sporting events, parties, competitions and anything else his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews were involved in. Now, punctuality was not his strong suit, but, he would eventually get to the venue! He was seen as a father figure also, by supporting, advising and spending quality time with his younger in-laws, especially Annette, Ferni and Diana who remained close to him until his demise.

Dad had a long time companion later in life, Alice Cantu who preceded him in death.

No matter how much education dad had, through his 40 years teaching children at Berkley Elementary School and later Dorie Miller Elementary School, which was a passion of his, as he never grew tired of enlightening and encouraging young minds, no matter how many accolades, awards and applause that came with many years of work and service, dad was a farming country cowboy and hunter at heart. He truly lived the saying, "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy".

Dad raced horses, rode horses, raised horses, broke horses and trained horses. When he wasn't with the horses, he was raising and herding cattle. Being around animals was truly his happy place. He was a proficient bow and arrow hunter and deer season was his favorite time of year, as he often spent time hunting with his brother Victor, his cousins and friends.

Dad also loved a good party and celebrating the accomplishments of his family and friends, spending time with his brothers and in-laws, traveling, and even driving his great-granddaughter to out of town basketball games and track meets. He also had a passion for driving big ole' Chevy trucks and will always stop for, and have a few scratch off tickets!

Dad departed this life January 30th after a brief illness. He will genuinely be missed by his children, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Victor A. and Johnny C. Fountano, first wife Helen Mayberry and Alice Cantu.

He leaves to mourn his loss, brother- Kelvin Fountano, second wife- Gloria Acosta, Children-Michele R. Oshodi, C. Yvette Fountano, Rene R. Fountano(Lorien), Mario G. Fountano(Jennifer), and Rey D. Fountano. Eleven grandchildren, Leonard Oshodi(LaToya), Jahida Strait, Nnamdi Oshodi(Taiwo), Simon Oshodi, Nicholas Oshodi, Olaitan Oshodi, Fumilayo Oshodi, Isaiah Fountano, Marcus Fountano, Rafael Fountano and Xavier Fountano, and 3 great-grandchildren, Zoih Ford, Mario Calhoun and Aaryn Oshodi, along with a host of in-laws, numerous cousins, neices, nephews and other relatives, co-workers, friends.