Joey
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Obituary for Joey "Pat" Fontana

On Thursday, February 23, 2017, Joey “Pat” Fontana lost his couragous 9 month battle with cancer. He went from the loving arms of his family into the loving arms of Jesus. He was 75 years old.

Pat (as he was known to his family) enjoyed a long and wonderful life. He was a native Nevadan, born in Reno at “the old Washoe Med” and attended Reno High School.

Pat spent summers in Lovelock working on his uncle’s ranch and at a local service station. He was very gifted mechanically and could fix anything. If he couldn’t find a part that he needed, he would make the part.

Pat’s mechanical abilities took him to his lifetime career spanning over 31 years in aircraft maintenance at the Nevada Air National Guard. He was an aircraft maintenance mechanic, crew chief and flight line supervisor (flight chief).

In 1962 he was assigned to active duty in the Air Force at Christmas Island. He participated in “Operation Dominic”, which consisted of a series of atmospheric atomic tests. Pat witnessed 23 atomic nuclear tests. His role was taking care of the sampling tanks on the airplanes that flew through the mushroom clouds following each atomic blast.

After retiring from the Air National Guard, Pat was blessed to have a second career as a Stay-at-Home Grandpa. This allowed him to share in raising his grandchildren to be loving people.

Pat was a classroom helper, crossing guard and field trip chaparone. He felt his most important role was to cherish and protect his grandchildren from the dangers of society.

Pat’s family was everything to him, and always came first. He was an amazing, selfless person who loved each family member uniquely. Pat always considered the needs of others before his own needs. He married the love of his life, Janel, and spent fifty-one years by her side. They had four daughters. Pat made it seem easy to always be surrounded by estrogen. He was known to treat young men interested in his daughters to a viewing of his gun collection when they came to meet him.

Pat was a kind and caring man with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor that he used every day. He had a deep, strong faith in God. Pat taught his family the love of Christ by loving them unconditionally.

He was firm and disciplined his children when needed, but he always stood by their side even when they didn’t make the best decisions. Pat guided and led his children, but still let them be who they were meant to be.

During the last 9 months Pat showed formidable courage and strength while dealing with many physical issues.

He is survived by his wife, Janel; daughters Lisa Fleming, Jill Fontana, Andrea Allen and Beverly Mudd; grandchildren Melissa, Matthew, Jessie, Abbi and Buddy; sisters, MariJo Sutton and Sue Morrison; and brother, Mike Fontana.

A special thanks to Dr. Amanda Hurd for her skill, compassion and care during Joey’s final illness. We ask that God bless her in a special way. We also want to thank the other doctors and nurses who took care of Joey during his cancer treatment and chemotherapy. Your kindness will never be forgotten. Additionally, the family wants to thank all those who have been praying for us. Those prayers are so appreciated and have given us strength, courage, and peace.

A rosary will be held at Our Lady of Snows Church, 1138 Wright Street, Reno, NV on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. The memorial mass will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the Huntsman Cancer Institute Memorial and Honor Program. When gifts made in memory or in honor of an individual reach a minimum of $350, a brick paver will be placed in the “Walk of Hope” pathway at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Huntsman Cancer Foundation 500 Huntsman Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Below is a poem that was special to the family:

The Train of Life

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love. More importantly, thank God for the journey.

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train.

Author Unknown

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