Richard Charles “Dick” Fontaine, 81 years of age, died peacefully at home in the comfort of family on Wednesday November 30, 2011. He was a longtime resident of New Bedford, and most recently resided in Dartmouth. He was the son of the late Arthur C. and Yvonne (Keroack) Fontaine. He was the widower of Eleanora “Ellie” (Smith) Fontaine his wife of 42 years, and the late Eileen Hanson Fontaine. He was predeceased by his brothers Arthur and Roger Fontaine and his sister Claire Cayer.
He graduated from Holy Family High School in 1948 and from Providence College in 1953, where he earned a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, which he served from 1949 to 1961.
He was a longtime communicant, lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. James Church in New Bedford. He was awarded the Marian Medal for dedication to the Church of the Diocese of Fall River in 1973 by Bishop Daniel Cronin. He was Chairman of the Catholic Charities Appeal of the Diocese in 1976, and served as Chairman of the 100th Anniversary Fund Raising Campaign at St. James. He also served as the President of the Serra Club of New Bedford, and on the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Home for over 20 years.
He was employed by the My Bread Baking Company “Sunbeam Bakery” in New Bedford for 43 years. While there, he wore many hats but he will be most remembered for his kind and fair dealings as personnel manager, his labor negotiating skills and advertising expertise.
He was appointed to the City of New Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals, where he served as Chairman for several terms over a period of 16 years.
His true passion was sailing with family and friends on the waters of Buzzards Bay and in and around the Elizabeth Islands. He was a co-founder of the Buzzards Bay Regatta, a United States Yacht Racing Union Certified Judge for several years and was the Secretary of the Southern Massachusetts Sailing Association. He was a lifelong member of the Low Tide Yacht Club, served numerous terms as Commodore and was the Race Committee Chairman for many years; a post he served as recently as this past sailing season. He was also the assistant sailing coach at Dartmouth High School for the past two years.
His survivors include his nine children and their spouses: Ann and Kevin Mullins of Duxbury; Mary and Peter Kavanaugh, of Dartmouth; Ted Fontaine, of Middletown RI; Barbara Fontaine and Deborah Diamond, of Brewster; Joan and Daniel Vasconcellos of Pembroke; Chuck and Lauren Fontaine of Mattapoisett; and Delia and Kevin Sullivan, Natalie and George Sine and Molly Cote, all of Dartmouth.
He is also survived by his twenty grandchildren: John, Kevin and Cam Mullins; Peter, Zack, Alex and Hannah Kavanaugh; Elizabeth, Frances, and Ellie Fontaine, Arthur Lynch; Nora and Davis Vasconcellos; Dodie and Andre Fontaine; Billy and Tucker Sullivan; Jack Sine; and Will and Ellie Cote; and his one great-grandchild Drew Mullins. He is also survived by several step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends in both Florida and Massachusetts, including his dear friend Kathy Murphy.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church Monday at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Low Tide Yacht Club/Fort Rodman Marine Education Association, 1000B South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02744. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.