Henry Joseph Fontaine

Henry J. Fontaine, 93, husband of Cecile E. (Langevin) Fontaine, gracefully drifted into God’s loving embrace at home in Easthampton, MA on December 26, 2022 surrounded by the care and comfort of his family.

He was born in Holyoke on November 30, 1929, a beloved son of the late Henri Joseph and Mary Anne (Lacroix) Fontaine. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived there for several years before moving to Clayton Street in Springfield, MA. where he and Ceil would raise their 3 sons for over 10 years before returning to Holyoke. After working at J. W. Jolly Machine Shop for 15 years, Henry worked as a machinist and machine assembler at Mitchell Machine in Springfield, MA for 27 years, retiring in 1992 after which they took a cross-country trip visiting the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Henry and Ceil called Lake Placid, Florida home for 25 years before returning to Western Massachusetts to be closer to family in 2016. Henry loved birdwatching and gardening as well as woodworking. He took pride in his gardens and birdhouses and would always be singing a tune while “putzing” around. Henry was a devout parishioner of the Catholic Church; most recently Our Lady of the Valley parish.

Henry and Cecile were married on April 30, 1949 at Our Lady of the Perpetual Help Church in Holyoke, MA. They were blessed with over 73 years of happiness together. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his son, Steven W. Fontaine who was Called Home on September 14, 2018; his sister, Cecile M. Benoit who was Called Home on May 27, 2016 and his brother Roger L. Fontaine who was Called Home on August 23, 2017. He leaves his two sons, Allan R. Fontaine of Wales, MA and John A. Fontaine of Holyoke; his ten grandchildren, Steven W. Fontaine Jr. of Winchester, VA; Corie Fontaine of Westfield; Jenna Fontaine Freeman of Las Vegas, NV; Tessa Chavarria (Michael) of San Antonio, TX; Adam (Robyn) Fontaine of Wake Forest, NC; Rachel Fontaine of Oak Harbor, WA; Nicole Fontaine of Holyoke; Kristin Fontaine of Holyoke; Erin Brunelle of Holyoke; and Chad (Alyssa) Fontaine of Holyoke; his 15 great-grandchildren, his sister, Marie Rock of Alamogordo, NM; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Fontaine and Langevin families.

Ceil and Henry's family would like to the Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice Team for their care of Henry including Karen, Kim, Allegra, Patricia, and Alyssa as well as Emma at Highland Valley Elder Care.

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