Richard E. Fontaine

"Ludlow and Three Rivers, Richard Edward Fontaine, 82, former longtime resident of Three Rivers died Friday, December 6 at home. Born in Palmer, February 14, 1931, he was the son of Roland Joseph and Beatrice (Dulude) Fontaine. He relocated to Ludlow 10 years ago. A longtime communicant of the former Ste. Anne Church, he was also a member of Ste. Jean the Baptist. For 29 years, he served on the board of the Palmer Housing Authority. Prior to his 40-year career as manager of Fontaine Moving and Storage, he was an iceman ─ delivering ice with his father, R.J. Fontaine, throughout the local community. Richard was an avid reader and a Civil War buff. He loved French and Celtic music and often played cards and cribbage. Richard was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Irene R. (Charette) Fontaine, in 2012. He will be deeply missed by their 3 children: Bernie Fontaine and his fiancée Bonny Rathbone of Palmer, Denise Pincince and her husband Kenneth of Belchertown, and Michelle Fontaine of Three Rivers. Richard is survived by 8 grandchildren: Ben, Matt and Michael Griswold, and Collette Pincince, Shelley Fontaine Letendre and Ryan Fontaine, Amy Bolton Crochiere and Sarah Bolton Gunther. He also leaves 8 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 10 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 9:30 am from the funeral home, followed by A Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Elizabeth's Church in Ludlow. Burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery in Three Rivers. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to The French Heritage Center, P.O. Box 1063, Chicopee, MA 01020 "