TAMA- Robert William Fontinel, 78, of Buford, GA formerly of Tama, Iowa passed away January 17, 2011 at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Deacon Joe Behounek officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 23 from 4 to 7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Robert was born on December 31, 1932 in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of Frank and Lida (Ruttan) Fontinel. He graduated from Grinnell High School in 1950. He was united in marriage to Helen Darlene Baustian on July 6, 1952 at the Methodist church in Grinnell. Robert was first engaged in farming. He later worked as a home builder/contractor for Wick Homes. Robert also spent time working as a realtor in both Iowa and Georgia. He finished his career working as a sales manager in multiple industries and retired in December of 2009 from ACOSTA Sales & Marketing. Robert was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Parish in Tama from 1963-1989, St. Cyril's Catholic Parish in Houston Texas from 1989-1997, and Prince of Peace Catholic Parish in Flowery Branch, GA since 1997 and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Robert served as Tama County Soil Commissioner at one time and served as a director on T.I.P. REC board in Brooklyn, IA from 1974-1989. Robert was also on the board of directors for Central Iowa Power Company (CIPO) from 1986-1989 and a director on Farmers Mutual Insurance Board in Traer from 1983-1989. Robert was also a fifty-five year member of Chester Royal Grange, Poweshiek County, Iowa, in which he held multiple offices. Away from work, He enjoyed traveling especially making trips to Hawaii. Robert also loved music and played the organ, piano, and the accordion which was his personal favorite. Robert enjoyed social events and loved to plan and attend parties which made him an amazing family man. He set a great example for all by sharing his life and treasures with family, friends, and so many others over the years by hosting people from over twenty different countries including Morocco, Panama, Thailand, France, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Clinton Fontinel; brother, Harold Fontinel; and sister, Carolyn Fontinel in infancy.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Helen Fontinel of Buford, GA; children, Aaron (Cheryl) Fontinel of Boca Raton, FL, Rose Ann Fontinel of Manchester, MO, Rhea Fontinel of Eau Claire, WI, Barbara Fontinel Yarar of Wayne, NJ, Lance (Katherine) Fontinel of Monroe, GA, and Lucia (Mo) Fontinel Merazka of Malden, MA; eleven grandchildren, Nicole Fontinel Cookson, Lauren Fontinel, Esra and Kaan Yarar, Giselle Gibran, Christopher, Merit, Hunter, Paige, Clay, and Peyton Fontinel; and siblings, Marge (Frank) Breya of Toledo, Duane (Paula) Fontinel of Benton, AR, Dennis (Sheila) Fontinel of Toledo, Marsha (Dean) Wolf of Cedar Rapids, and Kim (Connie) Fontinel of Tama. Robert is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews as well as foreign exchange students, Orosia Poveda of Panama City, Panama and Somchali Anamthawat Kierig of Bangkok, Thailand.
Memorials may be directed to Saint Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, GA 30341 or online @ www.svdpatl.org