William “Bill” Fontana, age 85, of 250 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ontario, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2012, at LaVerendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ontario.
He was born Oct. 21, 1926, in Fort Frances, Ontario, to the late Andrew and Clementina Fontana.
Bill is survived by his two brothers, Larry (Betty) Fontana of Fort Frances, ON., and James (Margaret) Fontana of Ottawa, ON., and his sister, Jenny (Morris) Wonfor of Fort Frances, ON.
He is also survived by two nephews, David Fontana, and Mark (Tina) Fontana and their children Brooke, Nicole and Tyler; two nieces, Tracey (Guy) Morrish and their son Andrew, and Gina (Cam) Keast and their children Riley, Haley and Braedon.
Bill entertained for approximately 40 years in Sports Shows in every major city in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Annually he performed at the CNE in Toronto, the PNE in Vancouver, the Worlds Fair in Montreal, and in Osaka, Japan. He was a strong supporter of Animals Rights Movements, and was recognized within the profession as an outstanding trainer.
Whenever he was on the road as an entertainer or tourist operator, he always promoted tourism for the Town of Fort Frances, along with his good friends, Rusty Meyers and Vern Jones. Bill resided his entire life in the area of Scott Street, and Mowat Avenue in Fort Frances, where he would always return following his travels. For approximately 30 years, he also owned and operated Canadian Wilderness Floating Lodges. He also established a Subdivision for homes on the lake at Nickel Lake. Bill was well known by many people all over, and he will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Cremation has taken place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Minnesota.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, Ontario with Father Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Pallbearers will be Tom Reid, Roy Avis, Heikki Lampi, Bob Lidkea, Don Cumming and Larry Cousineau.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to LaVerendrye General Hospital Auxiliary, in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made in care of http://www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
