Leo J. Fontaine, 75

LACONIA — Leo J. Fontaine, 75, of Laconia, and Zephyrhills, FL passed away on Sunday morning, October 9, 2005 after a 12 year battle with a rare lymphoma at the Hernado Pasco Hospice Care Center in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Leo was the son of the late Joseph A. (Fountain) and Exilia (Remillard) Fontaine. He was born in Laconia on December 16, 1929, where he was raised and schooled, attending St. Joseph School, and graduating from Laconia High School in 1948.

Prior to his retirement in 1988 he was employed by the U. S. Postal Service as a rural carrier in Gilmanton Iron Works, and Gilmanton. He also worked as an inspector for NBP Pratt & Whitney Division in West Hartford, Conn., as well as Scott & Williams Co. in Laconia. Leo also served in the U.S. Navy as an aerographer. He had wintered in Zephyrhills, Fla. since his retirement.

Leo was a life member of the Laconia Lodge of Elks #876, and an associate member of the Zephyrhills Lodge of Elks #2731. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #1 in Laconia, Moose Lodge #2276 in Zephyrhills, FL, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the Naval Weather Service Association. Leo was a former member of Pheasant Ridge Country Club, and a member of the National Hole in One Club. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Laconia, and St. Joseph Church in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Leo was a direct descendant of Etienne Fontaine of L’ile D’Yeu, France, who married Marie Conille at L’ile D’Orleans, P.Q. Canada in 1683.

Leo was predeceased by two brothers, Raymond and Roland Fontaine.

Leo is survived by his wife of 10 years, Mary Ann (Fabricino) Fontaine of Laconia, and Zephyrhills, Fla.; one brother, Maurice L. Fontaine and his wife Bo of Belmont; four step-daughters, Carol Downer and her husband Gary, Linda Fahling and her husband Milt, Nancy Ketteman and her husband Bob, and Diane Taylor and her husband Wayne, all of Michigan; one nephew, Mark Fontaine and his wife Michelle of Litchfield; and three nieces, Anita Dutton and her husband Dan of Tilton, Lisa Fontaine-Storez and her husband Chuck of Belmont, and Patricia Kimball of Vermont. Leo is also survived by three great nieces, seven great nephews, and many cousins all from, New Hampshire, as well as 12 step grandchildren from Michigan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 14, 2005 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Adrien R. Longchamps pastor of the church will celebrate the mass. Burial will follow in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia. Visiting hours will be Thursday, October 13, 2005 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia, Family and friends are invited to attend.

For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Leo’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, Gail Singer Memorial Building, 360 State Route 101, Suite 501, Bedford, NH 03110-5032.

To view an online memorial or send a message of condolence go to www.simoneaupaquette.com.

The Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home is assisting the family.