Harold C. Fountain Jr.

Harold C. Fountain Jr. passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Born on July 3, 1932 in Springfield, MA, he was raised in West Springfield before moving to Agawam, MA. His first job was at Forbes & Wallace in Springfield, MA. He began serving in the Army in 1952, completing his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. Before starting his active duty at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, he and Mildred LaFromboise were married on April 11, 1953. While in Alaska he earned the National Defense Service Medal. After returning from Alaska, he started working for the U.S. Post Office sorting mail on a railroad train that travelled from Springfield, MA to Albany, NY. He continued to work for the Post Office until his retirement in 1989, serving as a routing specialist. Harold and Millie were blessed with a large, loving family, which eventually included 5 children.
Harold enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. His love of the outdoors also included making maple syrup with his family at his vacation home in Chester, MA. He was a man of many interests including boating, drawing, painting, stained glass, dancing, playing guitar and violin and could be heard singing regularly throughout the day. His musical talents lead him to be a member of the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers and the Maple Run Cloggers. He travelled New England with his wife, singing and dancing at various fairs, festivals and nursing homes bringing joy to many.
He enjoyed taking road trips with his family. He was up for anything; taking in the sights, heading to a museum, going for a boat ride, riding a train or finding a new restaurant. He loved history including the Civil War and Native American culture. He learned how to knap arrowheads and spent a week in wigwam that he assisted with making. He was an intelligent man with a strong work ethic. Late in life he returned to advance his education by enrolling at Springfield Technical Community College, where he graduated Cum Laude with an Associate’s Degree in Landscape Plant Sciences. He and his son Thomas completed the program and graduated together in 1992. He loved his family and would drop anything he was doing if he was needed anywhere or by anyone.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mildred Fountain, sisters Gail Orlandi and Marlene Lovely, his children Dora (Cliff) Rankin, Laurel (Scott) Madison, Debbie (Bob) Mitchell, Thomas (Lizbeth) Fountain, Bruce (Kathryn) Fountain. Also surviving Harold are 13 Grandchildren Millie, Donnie, Erin, Benjamin, Jessie, Pamela, Tiffany, Ali, Amanda, Jacob, Emily, Justin, and Adam. Thirteen Great-Grandchildren missing Harold are Ryan, Brandon, Jeffrey, Emma, Nevaeh, Trent, Benny, Rojai, Ava, Lucy, Summer, Logan, Connor, along with 2 Great-Great Grandchildren Annabel and Elliott.
Loved ones who predeceased Harold include his beloved parents Harold and Ida (Mascaro) Fountain, brother Douglas (Art), sisters Gracie, Shirley (Corky), Madeline (Lee), Carol (Timmy), and Granddaughter Natasha.
Whether you knew him as Harold, Sluggo, Dad or Pepe, the world was a better place with him in it, and he will be sorely missed.
Funeral services for Harold will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 beginning at 10:30AM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam, MA followed by a graveside service with military honors at 11AM in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam, MA. A Celebration of Harold’s life will be held at a later date. Details to follow.