Joseph L. Fontaine

LONGMEADOW - Joseph passed at home after a short illness embraced by his loving wife. To his family, Joe epitomized a strong work ethic and a zest for life. Joe had a strong start in his work life where he served in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he was stationed outside of Cuba during the Missile Crisis. He worked for thirty years at the Western Mass Electric Company where he started shoveling coal and retired in management as an Operations Supervisor. He was a life-long member of the National Association of Power Engineers (N.A.P.E.) and during his years of service to the N.A.P.E., Joe held the office of President and Treasurer. While living in Montgomery, he served as the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Joe was always one to serve when called upon. Joe instilled in all of his children and grandchildren the love of the outdoors. Hours at the beach were never quite enough for him. Joe savored a good sunset, rock hunting and catching the Seals at Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod. He took long walks and bike rides just to be in the fresh air – where his children could barely keep up with him. He and his wife travelled and experienced the world with curiosity and empathy. They enjoyed traveling to Scotland, The Baltics, Russia and China with their traveling companions Henry and Carla LaFleur. Joe had three daughters in his first marriage and gained two sons in his second marriage to Kathleen Fontaine. This blended family grew by leaps and bounds as grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined. Joe is survived by loving wife Kathy who was his partner in life for better and for worse; his mother-in-law Gloria Pelow; his daughters Dawn Fontaine and her husband James Morton; Michelle Gray and her husband Mike; Jennifer Bastos and her partner Elias Sanabria. He also loved dearly his stepsons Tim Dupuis and his wife Jill; Chris Dupuis and his wife Maryann. Joe treasured one of his most important roles in life, that of grandfather. His grandchildren often share how much they have learned from Papa/Grandpa Joe. His grandchildren are Brendan Morton, Mia Lawrence, Jeremy Gray, Eva Gray, Antonio Bastos, Tyler Bastos, Jake Sanabria, Keith Sanabria, TJ Dupuis, Lilly Dupuis, and Ben Dupuis. Joe had recently become a great grandfather of three Tucker Gray, Ronan Lawrence and Magnolia Gray. Joe was a kind brother to Joan Shellito and her husband Charlie. His nieces and nephew, Julie Parsons, Wendy Shellito and Mike Shellito, have fond memories of summers on the lake in Maine. He is predeceased by his mother and father Joseph and Elsie Fontaine. Joe is also remembered by many good friends and family who shared his hobbies of bike riding, Tai Chi, travel, lectures and puttering. He especially leaves behind 3 of the 4 stooges Dick Simpson, Mark Remaly, and Bob Noonan. They spent many a memorable Tuesday solving the world’s problems with humor and intellect. Joe wants us all to remember that the cure for anything is salt water; sweat, tears or the sea (Isak Dinesen). There will be a mass held in late August at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow. Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joe’s memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104.