Francis Xavier Fontaine, 92, of Sunapee, NH, died Saturday August 19, 2017, at his home.
He was born to Simeon Lorenzo and Etta Agnes Howe Fontaine in Claremont, NH, on February 12, 1925. Francis was raised on the family farm with eight siblings during the hard times of the Great Depression, where he developed a strong work ethic which served him well throughout his lifetime. As a young adult he kept working on the family farm and also as a welder. He started working for Joy Mfg. Co. in 1952 in the research and development department, and rose through the ranks to attain the position of Design Engineer where he was well respected by his peers and the labor force. He was also granted several patents for his innovative design ideas and upgrades of machinery. In 1966 he was transferred with his department to Franklin, PA, still working for Joy Mfg. When he retired in 1986, he and his wife stayed at a cottage that he built himself, on Lake Sunapee, NH, during the summer, and at his other home in Franklin, PA, during the winter. In 1999 he sold his house in Franklin and moved year round to Sunapee. He always stayed busy by tilling his garden, mowing the lawn and in the winter, running his snow blower along with many other chores. He was very ambitious up until his tenacious battle with cancer, that cruel disease that claimed his life.
He married Claire Lepitre on June 23, 1945. They have a daughter, Linda Miller , of Erie, PA, and a son David Fontaine of Franklin, PA. He also had five grandchildren: Karen Hawkins and her husband, Steven, of Polk, PA, Michelle Freer and her husband, Dennis, of Polk, PA, Francis X Fontaine III and his wife, Amanda of Lancaster, PA., Amanda Leonardi and her Husband, Buddy, of Wilmington, NC, and Kathleen Miller of Erie, PA. He also had seven great grandchildren.
Francis was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest Fontaine, Henry Fontaine and George Fontaine. Also by his sisters, Beatrice Stiles, Ethel Hathaway and Lillian Mathews.
He is survived by his brother, Donald Fontaine, and sister Blanche St. John of Claremont.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 pm on Wednesday (August 23) at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newport, NH. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Claremont.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be sent in his name to Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse and Hospice Association, 107 Newport Rd, New London, NH 03257.
You are invited to share a memory of Francis with the family or leave a message of condolence in the family guest book at www.royfuneralhome.cm. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Roy Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
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