- April 19, 2024
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Joseph Henry Fontaine Sr.
1951-2021
Joseph Henry Fontaine Sr, son of the late Isaac Fontaine and Florence Fontaine, was born on January 1, 1951 (New Years Baby) in Princess Anne, Maryland. He slipped back into eternity on March 24, 2021.
The youngest of 3 children, Joe as everyone so lovingly referred to him, received the Lord as his Savior at an early age. His mother Florence made it a point to take Joseph, Levi and Anna to the House of Jacob Church which laid the foundation for his love and dedication to the Lord.
Joe received his early education in Princess Anne, Md and then went on to study at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Initially he was pursuing a career as a registered nurse with only a few credits away from graduating. When the opportunity arose to become a Longshoreman he pursued that route in order to care for his growing family. From there he created a lucrative career for himself at the Port of Baltimore ILA 333. He worked hard and was promoted within until his final position as the labor coordinator for the Port. He retired to his dream home in Palm Coast, Florida in 2010 and had been “living the dream” as he would say!!
Joe enjoyed many things in life but nothing topped his love for fishing. As president of the B.F.C (Baltimore Fishing Club), he and his crew traveled the world to fish from Alaska to Costa Rica to Bermuda and beyond. Name a fish and he had either caught it or had eaten it. Not only did he have an insatiable appetite for fish he also enjoyed gaining knowledge in any and everything that he could. As a young child he was an avid reader.. That habit carried throughout with him to adulthood becoming one of those people who knew a little bit about EVERYTHING. More than anything Joseph had a love for life enjoying every moment with little to no regrets. He traveled, learned, loved, and lived life on his terms…as a celebration!! His inquisitiveness eventually propelled him to develop a love for family research that lead to the crafting of the Fontaine family tree generating from the 1600’s; that now boasts well into thousands of entrants.
More than anything Joseph had a love for life enjoying every moment with little to no regrets.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his partner in life, wife Rev. Dr. M. Frances Manning-Fontaine, his two sons, Joseph Fontaine 2nd and Terrance Thompson, his two daughters Janice Farrah and Leandra Fontaine. One daughter in law, Carla Thompson; Six grandchildren; Terrance Thompson 2nd, Daquan Thompson, Carlos Thompson, Antoinette Thompson, Kam’Ryn Fontaine and Mariah Fontaine; one sister, Anna Fontaine and one brother Levi Fontaine; one stepson Nick, daughter-in-law Sheila, two step grandchildren Nick II and Olivia….Three dogs, Leonardo, Simba, Tahj + Yogi who is waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge; as well a host of extended family and friends who will cherish his memories. These friends include Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Palm Coast, Fl. Rev. Edwin Coffie, Sr. Pastor, with whom he last affiliated along with his wife Rev. Fontaine in the Ephraim Tribe; the Flagler beach fishing pier family where he became the first African American pier attendant in the history of Flagler Beach, Fla…. as well as the school volunteer corp of which he was a member.. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Corey Fontaine and late wife Diana Fontaine.
Joe will truly be missed by all who knew him as he was one of kind. He would always say “I lived my life and had a good time”.While we will miss him dearly, it was a celebration to have lived as he did and now he is with God. A memorial service is being planned for a future time in his home state of Maryland where most of his childhood friends and family still reside. RIP Joe!
