Donald Fontana

Donald L. Fontana, age 86, passed away March 12th at Journey Care Hospice in Barrington, IL.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Julius and Marie (nee Andriotti) Fontana, and his two sisters, Theresa Dal Porto and Jeanette Chamerski

Don loved life, he loved his family, and they both loved him back. After graduating from Steinmetz High School in 1955, he served in the Navy on a destroyer with the Pacific Fleet, based out of San Deigo. After completing his service, he returned home, married the love of his life, Irene, and began his family and his business career in banking while hustling to sell real estate as a second job. He eventually moved into the business management world. He ended up involved with a private equity team of people that conglomerated business, maximized their strengths, and eliminated their deficiencies to create overall value that far exceeded the sum of the initial separate companies. The last iteration of this process resulted in his early retirement from a buy-out.

Don got no greater joy than seeing his children and grandchildren succeed- AT ANYTHING. For example, he had a no excuses practice of rewarding his grandchildren for each good grade. He also didn’t stay retired long as he was sort of drafted by his family into consulting behind the scenes in the development of American Litho. He spent many winters at Isla del Sol, near St. Pete Beach, FL with Irene, the source of his boundless love for family, He loved playing golf and was fortunate enough to have two hole-in-ones. He was never one to seek personal reward or praise- his reward was quietly watching his family succeed and grow. He continued to provide foresight and business vision long after his actual vision was taken from him later in his life His guiding principle was, ‘don’t do it if you don’t do it right’. HIs light will shine for many generations to come.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene, his two children, Michael S. Fontana (Jeannine), Bloomingdale, IL and Cheryl R. Major (Tim), Riviera Beach, FL, and his seven grandchildren, Dr. Matthew Major, Danville, PA, Joseph A. Major, Indianapolis, IN, Troy S. Major (Morrissa), Evansville, IN, Gianna M. Fontana, Chicago, IL, Michael D. Fontana, Bloomingdale, IL, Joseph Abate, Bloomingdale, IL, and Alexa I. Fontana, Bloomingdale, IL as well many nieces and nephews – Randy Chamerski, Phoenix, AZ, Gail Volpe, Roselle, IL, David Chamerski, Palatine, IL, Regina Dal Porto, Oakbrook Terrace, IL and Janine Hostetler, Livermore, CA

The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Journey Care Hospice in Barrington, IL for their great efforts over the last days of Don’s life. There will be a visitation at Salerno’s Sons Funeral Home at 450 W. Lake Street, Roselle, IN from 9:00am-11:30am Tuesday, followed by a Mass at St. Walters Catholic Church in Roselle at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may wish to consider a donation to one of the following charities in the honor of Don’s life: St. Walters Catholic Church (Give to St. Walter Catholic Church (pushpay.com),
Journey Care Hospice (Donate (journeycare.org), or to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB Donation Website (fightingblindness.org)