Humbert Albert Fontana

Buddy was born March 28, 1936, in the family home at 1305 Trinidad Avenue, Washington, DC to an Italian immigrant, Umberto Fontana and mother, Elena LeDonne. His father emigrated from Naples, Italy, with his uncle Gabriele, and the two of them opened a tailor shop, “Fontana Tailors” on North Capital Street, Washington, DC. Buddy was the 6th in a family of 8 (4 boys and 4 girls). He loved sports, playing football, track, basketball, gymnastics and boxing. He was an AAU Silver Gloves Champion in Boxing in the 65 and 95 lb weight class, Jr. Golden Gloves runner up in 1953 (Bantam wt class) and champion in 1954 (Feather wt class). He attended the University of Maryland 1954-1957. He was a Corpsman in the US Naval Reserves for 8 years (joined at age 17). After graduating from the University of Maryland, he attended Physical Therapy School (D. T. Watson School of Physiatrics), a division of the University of Pittsburgh in Swickley, Pennsylvania. He practiced physical therapy for 35 years in the Northern Virginia area, being honored by the Virginia Physical Therapy Association with the Beb Cash Award, selected by his peers for outstanding contributions to clinical practice. He loved to watch all sports and was an avid Washington Redskins fan and a season ticket holder, while he lived in Northern VA. He was an avid fisherman and relocated to the Inter Coastal Waterway in Newport, NC in his later years. He was a past President of the Holy Mackerel Fishing Club.

He loved music and had an extensive opera and record collection.

Buddy attended St. Philip’s Catholic Church while in Northern Virginia and St. Egbert Catholic Church since moving to Morehead City.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Terry; four children, Umberto, Antonio, Gina and Steve. He will be missed by his nine grandchildren, Chelsea, Morgan, Dominic, Adrianna, Eric, Julia, Leo, Alexis and Enzo. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial and visitation have already been conducted in Morehead City, North Carolina.

A graveside service will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Thornrose Cemetery, 1041 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401.