Donald Fontana

Donald Fontana KINGSFORD - Donald Louis Fontana, 77, of Kingsford, died on Thursday, July 8, 2004, at Marquette General Hospital. Don was born on March 17, 1927, in Iron Mountain. He went to school in Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls and graduated at mid-semester in 1945 from Iron Mountain High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy the week after graduation and served overseas in the Pacific as the rest of his class had graduation in June. After the war, Don worked as a salesman for WMIQ in Iron Mountain and WDMJ in Marquette. He spent a few years as a juvenile probation officer before serving as a deputy U.S. marshal for two years. He managed Chickie's Lanes in Iron Mountain for many years before purchasing the lumberyard in Channing. It was destroyed by fire five years later. He worked for M.J. Electric for almost 30 years as an operator and then as safety director. Don was a lifetime instructor for OSHA and MSHA (underground) where he trained over 1,200 people on first aid and CPR. Don played fast pitch softball for Becco's Market, Spin's Bar and Hosking and Harvey. He was often the highest average hitter and home run leader. One year he batted 500. He bowled his first 300 game at Chickie's Lanes in 1962 and his second at Recreation Lanes in 1967. Don was the only non-pro bowler invited to the World Invitational Bowling Tournament in the state of Michigan. He was elected to the Tri-Area Bowling Hall of Fame in 2000. Don was a member of the United Commercial Travelers, American Legion, Sagola Township Sportsman Club, Crystal Falls Golf Club and American Society of Safety Engineers. He also served on the Iron Mountain Police and Fire Commission under Mayor Jack Croci. He is survived by two daughters, Nancy (Bill) Brisson of Harrison Township, lower Michigan and Susan (Rick) Holland of Iron Mountain; three granddaughters, Shannon (Joe) Tocco of Chesterfield Township, lower Michigan, Rebecca Brisson of Beaverton, Ore. and Kristen (Doug) Kendrick of Escanaba; one grandson, Steven Holland of Iron Mountain and four great-granddaughters, Gina, Josephina, Sophia, and Julia Tocco of Chesterfield Township, lower Michigan. He was preceded in death by his father, John Fontana in 1975 and his mother, Margaret Bollerman in 2003. He was also preceded in death by a seven-month-old brother, John Jr. in 1924 and his brother, William in 2001. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening at the funeral home. Rev. David Snyder will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Donald Fontana online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral of Iron Mountain has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Donald Fontana

March 17, 1927 - July 8, 2004