Obituary-Brother George Fontana

(28 April 1939 - 29 July 2011)

From Today's Marist Brother Advent 2011

Since word of Br. George Fontana's death was received, the Province has been receiving many emails and letters of condolences from throughout the Institute. Br. George's work in Fribourg, Switzerland, Manziana, Italy, Rome, Italy, Kobe, Japan, and his presence in the US was always marked with the genuine warmth, care and concern that mirrored the man Br. George was. As a Province and as an Institute, the Marist Brothers have been blessed with Br. George's presence among us. I am sure he is interceding for us and for the needs of the Brothers. Let us continue to pray for each other and take comfort in knowing that Br. George is at peace in the Risen Lord.

April 28, 1939    Born Born In New York, NY to Del (Bello) and George Fontana
1953 - 1956    Marist Juniorate, Esopus, NY
1956-58    Marist Novitiate, Tyngsboro, MA
1957    Reception of the Marist Habit, Tyngsboro, MA
1958    Profession of First Vows, Tyngsboro, MA
1961-63    Central Catholic HS, Lawrence, MA (Teacher)
1963    Profession of Perpetual Vows, Poughkeepsie, NY
1963-68    Marist HS, Chicago, IL (Teacher)
1968-71    Central Catholic HS, Wheeling, WV (Teacher)
1971-72    College Laval, Canada (Teacher)
1972-73    Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV (Teacher)
1973-74    Second Novitiate, Fribourg, Switzerland
1974-77    St. Agnes Boys HS, New York, NY (Asst. Principal)
1977-78    Clinton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY (Province Work)
1978-79    Our Lady of Lourdes HS, Poughkeepsie, NY (Teacher)
1979-85    Fribourg, Switzerland (Asst. Director)
1985-89    1985-89 Calumet Park, IL (Novice Master/Working at Marist)
1989-2000    Marist Brothers Intl School, Kobe, Japan (Headmaster)
2000-01    Sabbatical Year, Champagnat Hall, Bronx,NY
2001-07    Istituto Fratelli Maristi, Manziana, Italy (Sub-Director/Treasurer)
2007-10    Fratelli Maristi, Rome, Italy (Asst. to Secretary General)
2010-11    Retired Champagnat Hall, Bronx,NY
29 July 2011    died New York City
1 Aug 2011    buried Marist Brothers Cemetery, Esopus NY

Obituary published 22 September 2011 by Catholic New York, the paper of the Archdiocese of New York:

Brother Fontana, 72, Teacher and Educator

Brother George Fontana FMS who taught in the archdiocese, died July 29 at White Plains Center for Nursing Care. He was 72.

He was assistant principal at St. Agnes Boys High School in Manhattan 1974 to 1977, and taught at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, 1978 to 1979

For 11 years he was headmaster at the Marist Brothers International School in Kobe Japan where he was instrumental in rebuilding the school after an earthquake in 1996.

He also taught in Boston, Chicago and West Virginia, and in Montreal

He served as director of novices at the Marist novitiate in Calumet Park Illinois 1985 to 1989

Born in New York City, he entered the Marist Brothers Juniorate in 1953 and professed final vows in 1963. He held a bachelors degree from Marist College.

He is survived by a brother, Richard and his sister, Virginia Cimini.

A Funeral Mss was offered August 1 at St. Anthony's Church in the Bronx. Burial was in the Marist Brothers Cemetery in Esopus.

Information and photo obtained from the Marist Brothers web site in Rome, Italy by David Kammer. Obituary from Catholic New York.

Source: Original Marists All Site

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