Mr. Joe Fonte's Obituary
Joe Fonte, 84 of Tampa passed away Monday night, May 21, 2007. Joe was a longtime resident of Tampa. He attended Plant High School and the University of Tampa. Joe was the oldest of 7 boys and 3 girls of Ignazio G. and Rosalie Fonte. The Fonte family began Pioneer Cleaners, Tampa's first dry cleaning company in 1915. Joe served in the Navy as a radio operator on the USS Bennion during World War II. During his life he enjoyed boating and horse back riding and good Italian food.. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Tampa and was a long time member of the Universal Lodge 178 in Tampa and the Ybor City Rotary Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Phala Rose Deal Fonte of Chipley, Fl; daughter, Phala Rosalie Pesano and her husband Chuck, of Valrico; sons, I.G. Fonte, of Arkansas, Nelson Fonte, of Tampa, and Frank Fonte, of Tampa; grandaughters, Jessica L. Pesano, of Tampa, Elisa G. Mora and husband, Angus, Sasha A. Williams and husband, Todd, and Erin L. Fonte, and two great-grandchildren Cole and Skylar. He is also survived by his brothers, I. G. Fonte, Sam Fonte, Harry Fonte, Angelo Fonte, and Frank Fonte all of Tampa, and his sisters, Angie Clemente and her husband, Joe, of Brooksville, and Carmella Campo and her husband Dr Joseph Campo, of Tampa and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Brothers and sisters previously passing include Morris Fonte and Louise Maggio. A special "thank you" goes to caregivers, Hope Swaby and Shelly Duckett for their loving care during his final year.
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