The Honorable Ronald Ashton Fonseca

The Honorable Ronald Ashton Fonseca passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on March 11, 2020, at his home in Metairie, LA. Judge Fonseca is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Lynne Block Fonseca, his five children, Michelle Fonseca (Daniel) Lucio, Loretta (Neal) Naquin, Yvette (Steve) Pettus, Remi (John) Bauer, Tommy Fonseca, and his 12 grandchildren, Henri Lucio, Samuel Lucio, Katie Naquin, Nicole Naquin, Kelley Pettus, Andrew Pettus, Matthew Pettus, Christopher (Kyra) Bauer, Alexander Bauer, Michael Bauer, Taylor (Blake) Borgstede, and Ryan Fonseca. He is also survived by his siblings Jeanne Fonseca, Sandra Landry, Ramon Fonseca, Gerry Fonseca, Bobby Fonseca, Rene Fonseca, Anne Friedman, a large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends who were like family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lena Mae Achee’ Fonseca, Judge Bernard John Fonseca, and his sister Janice Giroux. Born on September 24, 1936, Judge Fonseca grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was the first of 9 children of Lena Mae and Judge Bernard John Fonseca. Ronald graduated from Jesuit High School in 1954 and completed his undergraduate studies at Loyola University. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Law School in 1962, an M.B.A. from Loyola Graduate School of Business in 1970 and a Master of Arts in History from the University of New Orleans in 2007. Judge Fonseca was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as United States Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana, in 1983 and retired May 1998. Prior to his appointment, Judge Fonseca worked for the United States Department of Justice as the Assistant United States Attorney from 1973-1983. During his term, he served in many capacities including: Chief, Civil Division 1982-1983; Trial Attorney, Dept. Of Justice’s Organized Crime Strike Force 1978-1979; and Chief of Narcotic Prosecution Section 1975-1977. From 1966-1973, Judge Fonseca served as a Litigation Attorney for the United States Small Business Administration. He started his career in 1964-1966 in private practice following in the footsteps of his father as an attorney. After law school, he served active duty in the United States Army, Adjutant General Branch, as a 1st Lieutenant from1962-1964. He then served inactive reserve duty from 1964-1968 with an Honorable discharge in 1968. After his career as Judge, he became an Adjunct Professor at Our Lady of Holy Cross College where he taught a junior level course in Louisiana History from 2007-2011. He also volunteered his time with the U. S. Public Defenders Office in New Orleans and was placed on the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Project where he defended several of Louisiana’s indigent. During his career, he was honored with many awards: 1979 Awarded “Special Commendation for Outstanding Service Criminal Division of the Department of Justice;” 1982 Letter of commendation from William H. Webster, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with successful defense of an FBI agent sued for a civil rights violation; 2013 Pro Bono Publico Award, and 2011 Our Lady of Holy Cross President’s Award. Judge Fonseca was involved in many community activities and organizations including: Federal Magistrate Judges Association, Board of Trustees, La. Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Louisiana Historical Society, Louisiana Historical Association, Le Comité des Archives de la Louisiane, and the Louisiana State Bar Association.

He was a proud member of St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, where he attended mass regularly and volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister. Although Judge Fonseca enjoyed much professional success, he viewed his family as his greatest achievement. He came from a large family, and family was everything to him. He was happily married to his high school sweetheart, Mary, and their relationship was like no other. He was known for making his signature shrimp remoulade or peanut butter fudge for family gatherings. Ronald loved to travel, cook, and paint. He was a lifetime learner. He loved to spend time “holding court” with his close friends the ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out)– always talking politics, telling Cajun jokes or just passing time. He was an avid LSU and Saints fan, and he loved a good joke. He never met a stranger, and his joy and passion for life, the law, family, and friends left a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to know him. Indeed, Judge Fonseca’s most important legacy will be the roadmap he left for a life well lived. He lived his life as a Spartan and always a man for others. He loved with his whole heart, he unselfishly served the Lord and others, he truly enjoyed life, and he understood the importance of being a good husband, father, brother, son, uncle, and friend. Judge Fonseca’s family would like to thank Dr. Dugan, the nurses, and other caregivers at East Jefferson General Hospital, Chateau De Notre Dame and Compassus Hospice who cared for him as if he were their own loved one. We are truly grateful that his final days were made easier by their compassion, concern, and kindness. Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend services at St. Clement of Rome Church at 4317 Richard Ave, Metairie, Louisiana on Monday, March 16, 2020. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with a Funeral Mass to follow at 12:00 pm. Interment to follow at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in his memory to the Manresa House of Retreats, (PO Box 89, Convent, LA 70723) where Judge Fonseca attended retreats for over 30 years.