Raymond Richard Fontaine

Raymond Richard Fontaine, 76, of Las Vegas, passed away March 8, 2009. After having open-heart surgery and surviving a severe stroke he expired from pneumonia and heart failure. Born January 14, 1933, in Woonsocket, he was the only son of the late Edward A. and Georgianna E. (Graves) Fontaine. Ray was a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force and retired after 26 years active duty after seeing a great deal of the world and serving through both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retirement, he expanded his travels while working for a number of international companies including Lockheed International, Bell Helicopters, Agusta Aerospace and General Dynamics. Ray was an energetic and funny guy. Ray loved life and enjoyed many activities, among them eating, talking, telling a good joke, playing, watching, and refereeing sports, tinkering and dog walking. Bingo was his favorite frustration. According to his family and many friends, Raymond never met a stranger. He is survived by his loving partner, Ismene Argyris-Rhodes of Las Vegas, NV; two daughters, Carol Fontaine of Spokane, WA and Lisa Fontaine Anderson of High Point, NC; sisters, Frances Malo of Warwick, RI; and Margaret Lipsky of North Scituate, RI; step-daughter and son-in-law, Tessie and Doug Staubs of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Maria and Alex Staubs of Las Vegas, and many nieces and nephews in the Rhode Island area. Services were held in Las Vegas, NV on March 11, 2009 at Kraft-Sussman Funeral Services.