Ignazio Fonte's Obituary
FONTE, Ignazio Giuseppe “IG”, Jr.
Tampa lost one of the beloved Fonte Brothers when Ignacio Giuseppe Fonte, Jr., affectionately known as simply “IG”, lost his long-fought battle with cancer. After visiting with adoring relatives Saturday night (11/24/18), IG passed at home in the company of his loving companion Nancy Huerta. Born in Tampa on July 30, 1937 as the eighth child of I.G. Fonte, Sr. and Rosalia Giovenco Fonte, IG attended Plant High School and then entered the United States Navy traveling the world. Upon his discharge he joined his Father and Brothers in running Pioneer Cleaners, a business started by his Dad in 1915. He left that business briefly to start Import Auto Parts in Bithlo, Florida running and growing that company until returning to Pioneer in the 1990s until its sale in 2010. Probably one of the most positive minded individuals and sports fan, IG mentored and supported many people despite business and personal challenges that included divorce, and the tragic traffic death of his only daughter Michelle Fonte James, pregnant with his first grandchild at the time. Then tragedy struck again with the sudden death in 2009 of his beloved wife of seventeen years Eileen Joy Lamont Fonte. A chance meeting between IG’s sister with Nancy Huerta eventually led to the rejoining of IG with Nancy, who had been his first wife, and the beginning of happy relationship that saw them travel throughout the United States. Diagnosed with cancer that sadly led to the removal of his voice box, IG continued to fight, and assisted by Nancy and other family members he tried many means of beating the disease, keeping a tremendously positive attitude while following his beloved Tampa Bay Rays. For years IG served as a Second Father and Favorite Uncle to several of his nephews who had lost their parents, and was always one of the first on the scene to help anyone in need. His presence, always with a warm smile and ready encouragement aided many, and his passing leaves a great void. Preceded in death by his parents, his only Daughter and seven of his siblings, IG is survived now by Nancy; a brother Angelo Fonte; a sister Angie Fonte Clemente; his son, IG Fonte III, many grieving nephews and nieces; and a sea of friends all touched by the wonderful nature that truly was IG Fonte. The family will receive friends Thursday , November 29, 2018, from 6 to 8 PM, with graveside funeral services to be held Friday, November 30, 2018, 10:00 AM, at Garden of Memories.
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