George D. Fontaine

George Fontaine, 89, left us to be in heaven on June 20th, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary; parents George and Rose; sisters Marion, Dorothy, Aurore, Rosemary and Lorraine; son, Donald and daughter-in-law, Dawn. George is survived by daughters, Julie (Jim) and Kathy (Andrew); grandchildren, Tony (Leah), Niki (Chris), Kimberly, Jeff (Marie), Ashley (Brandon), Matti (Luke); great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other extended family, and many friends.

George was born and raised in St. Paul, MN, the youngest sibling of 5 older sisters. He grew up during the war years and remembered when the lights of St. Paul were finally allowed on at the State Capitol again at night. He was an altar boy, and lead patrol boy at his grade school. He graduated from Monroe High School.

George served as a Corpsman aboard the USS Darby, a destroyer escort, from 1955 to 1957. These were formative years for him and when he was older, he told many, many, many Navy stories.

He met the love of his life, Mary, at St. Louis Church when they were in grade school together. They married on June 1, 1957, and raised their family on the East side of St. Paul before moving to Oakdale. The family and home he made with Mary was safe and stable. Don, Julie, and Kathy grew up knowing they were loved. He and Mary were known for keeping a meticulously tidy yard, and neighbors in the wider cul-de-sac family were very special to them. George designed and outfitted his garage workshop with detail and attention to providing a place for every item. He was a builder and was generous with his time, talent, and treasure when helping others.

George and Mary were long term members of Presentation Catholic Church, the St. Paul Lions, and the Old West Society where he and Mary participated in many local town parades and reenacted western gun fights across the country. George had 2 recurring roles, one as a Canadian Mountie, and another as a town drunk, a character of particularly low repute known simply as "Backshooter". We cannot say which character he enjoyed more! Unsurprisingly, he had a lifelong love of the movies, his favorites being westerns and war movies.

To know George was a wild ride! George was simply full of life, constantly balancing his relationships as father, grandfather, sage advisor, critical observer, good friend, and flat-out "annoying jokester". The balance for most who knew him tilted to the last two and he was beloved by most who knew him. He is remembered as one who was first to volunteer with charitable activities with the Lions Club, and he was very active as an adult leader when Don was in the Boy Scouts. The family were active snowmobilers and had many outings with the Kline family.

George was a trusted manager for most of his work life, first in Distribution and later in Flooring. He was highly regarded for his attention to detail and quality work. Among his countless projects he once managed installation of an acoustic hardwood floor in Prince's studio Paisley Park. It was during his work that he made the lifelong friends with whom he played cards and bowled for many years thereafter. He spent his early retirement years traveling extensively with Mary, often with her Deluxe Check retirees' group. He also made many things in his workshop for family and friends.

In his later years, George was well known as a friendly and welcoming resident at Oak Meadows Senior Living. He was named an ambassador for new residents and was formally recognized for using his Navy Corpsman training to minimize the effects of a stroke suffered by a staff member until paramedics could arrive. His happy spirit was contagious.

The family extends their gratitude to Oak Meadow's Senior Living, HealthPartners Hospice and the many staff that cared for him in his later years.

He is already dearly missed by all, and we celebrate his life.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 11:00 A.M at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 - 4th Street North, Oakdale with visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.