Raymond F. Fontaine, Jr.

Raymond “Ray” F. Fontaine, Jr., age 81, of 421 South 30th Street, passed away Thursday evening, July 11, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on June 23, 1938 in Lake Linden, MI, the son of Raymond and Annabelle (Belisle) Fontaine, Sr. He was raised in Lake Linden and was a 1956 graduate of Lake Linden High School. Following graduation, he served his country in the U.S. National Guard. Ray had a passion for music and enjoyed playing the trumpet in a band. While playing at an event at the Golden Pheasant, a young woman caught his eye and he told a member of the band that he was going to marry her someday. Ray was right; on January 20, 1962 he married the former Shirley Ronquist at St Joseph Church in Lake Linden. Ray began his working career in Sandusky, MI as a lumber grader. He then served as a police officer in Munising, MI and later with the Michigan State Police in Marquette, MI. In 1968, Ray started is Prudential Insurance career in Hancock, MI, then transferred to Ironwood, MI, and then on to Escanaba, MI. He retired in 1993 as an office manager in Iron Mountain, MI. Following retirement, Ray and Shirley moved to Escanaba. Ray loved being around people and enjoyed helping his son at Breezy Point for the past 13 years. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba, a life member of the Escanaba Elk’s Lodge #354, a member of the Escanaba Fraternal Order of the Eagles #1088 and was a member of the NRA. Ray lived life to its fullest and loved having a good time. He was an avid Detroit Lions Fan, loved riding his Motorcycle, playing cards and helping anyone who needed it. He could easily put a smile on someone’s face and always had a good story to tell. Family meant to world to Ray and Ray meant the world to them. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Raymond F. Fontaine, Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Shirley of Escanaba; daughters, Lori (Jim DeGrand, Jr.) Fontaine of Appleton, WI, and Diane (Rory) Mattson of Escanaba; son, Jerry (Sonya) Fontaine of Escanaba; grandchildren, Keith DeCremer (Brigette Hartges), Nichole (Dave) Annear, Scott (Kelly) DeCremer, Ryan Fontaine, and Alyssa DeGrand; great-grandchildren, Mason DeCremer, Audrey (Aluc) Carl, Tailor Annear, Xander Annear, Parker DeCremer, Dominick Fontaine, Donavan Fontaine, Zariyah Fontaine, Kinzley Fontaine, Kameron Fontaine, Wyatt DeGrand, and Tahliah Plante; sister-in-law, Brenda Fontaine of AR; brother-in-law, Charles (Marsha) Ronquist of Kalamazoo, MI; nieces and nephews, Lisa Hess, Michael Fontaine, Brandon Fontaine, Tony Ronquist, David Ronquist, and Melissa Brown; and very special cousins, Phil Dean Belisle, Dean (Lisa) Belisle, Joe (Marsha) Belisle, Phil Belisle, and Sharon Cloutier.

In addition to his parents, Raymond & Annabelle, Ray was preceded in death by his only sibling, a brother, Willis Fontaine, who passed away June 26, 2019; and in-laws, John and Gertrude Ronquist.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m., Friday, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba with Father Fran DeGroot officiating. A reception will be held at the conclusion of the services at Breezy Point in Ford River. 

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