CHERRYFIELD – Sonny Fontaine, 67, passed into eternity’s morning May 12, 2005, to join the Lord he just recently claimed as his Savior. Sonny (Philip) was born March 29, 1938, in York, the son of Philip O. & Sarah (Nolan) Fontaine. Sonny served in the U.S. Army Reserve, & he was a lobsterman in York, the town of his birth, for 28 years, after he left his work on the ocean, he worked for the York School Department as a custodian, and then a facility manager for York Middle School and York Junior High School. He and his wife, Bonnie, provided transportation for mentally challenged children for many years, faithfully and safely transporting special needs children more than a 100 miles per day for eight years. The children he transported adored him as did the children who attended the school he worked in, York Middle School. Together, while still living in York, Sonny and Bonnie opened and operated an adult foster home, Fontaine Foster Home, for mentally challenged adults in their home. They had two ladies who lived with them, Auldie and Flo, who fondly called Sonny “Daddy” or “Poppa”! Auldie always called him “My Special” and would sing him songs for hours. Sonny was wonderful with the ladies and a wonderful helpmate to Bonnie as they worked side by side to provide a home setting for these very special ladies and gentlemen. Sonny retired from the York School Department in September of 1988, and he and Bonnie moved north to Cherryfield, a small rural community they fell in love with, and opened River’s Edge Farm Residential Care Facility and they were blessed to be able to expand their residential care home to have four special people live with them. Sonny deeply enjoyed the many special people who lived with he and Bonnie down through the 18 years they have operated River’s Edge Farm on Main Street in Cherryfield. Fifteen special needs folks have been part of the Fontaine family these last 21 years. Sonny (Philip) is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Bonnie (Ablamsky) Fontaine; and the two ladies who are part of the Fontaine household, Myra and Bea, and their beloved new addition to the family; a 6 month old Doberman, Pinscher Puppy, “Cally”. He also leaves his daughter, Sharon Koontz and her husband, Roger, of Edmond, Okla.; his daughter, Susan Dale and her husband, Peter, of New Gloucester; he also leaves two grandchildren, Sydney Koontz, and Adam Dale; he also leaves a sister, Elizabeth McKinnon of West Newbury, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews. Sonny was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Sarah Fontaine; his father-in-law that he loved deeply, Mickey Ablamsky Jr.; and two beloved canine companions he adored, Holly and Candy, Doberman Pinschers who were a special part of the family to Sonny and Bonnie, and all the folks that have shared their lives with the Fontaine’s. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. May 18, 2005, at the DownEast Christian Church, with Pastor Clive Meidahl officiating. A second memorial service will be held 1 p.m. June 6, 2005, in Connecticut, with the Rev. Karl Zorowski officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The Family requests that Donations in Sonny’s name be sent to DownEast Christian Church, P.O. Box 189, Harrington, ME 04643, or Lost Lamb Association, P.O. Box 2007, Bangor, ME 04402.
PHILIP H. ‘SONNY’ FONTAINE
