Harry Lou Fontenova

Harry Lou Fontenova, D.O. 87, passed away in peace at his home on St. Andrew's Drive in Tucson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Fontenova, brothers, Evo and John Fontenova. He is survived by his sister, Pauline Comitz; his nieces, Margaret Mary Johnson and Thea Meyer; and his nephew, Edward Comitz. Born in Plains, Pennsylvania, to parents who immigrated from Italy and owned a grocery store. As a boy, he carried groceries to his parents' customers. Dr. Fontenova attended Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School before going to Villanova College in 1943. He later attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medical Surgery. In 1944, he was called into the Army Medical Corp., where he met his wife and married her in 1947. After army service, he returned to the United States and enrolled at the University of Des Moines College of Medicine and Surgery, then interned at Flint Osteopathic Hospital. Dr. Fontenova arrived in Tucson in 1950, opening his practice at Pima and Alvernon. In 1957, he and five other physicians built Tucson General Hospital, where he was Chief of Staff and Surgery on three separate occasions and awarded the Honor and Achievement Award in Medicine and Surgery in 1980. One of his greatest achievements was his admittance into the Lourdes International Medical Bureau in France. In the 1950's, Dr. Fontenova was involved in sports medicine and was the physician for the El Rio Boxing Association and part-time physician for the University of Arizona football and basketball teams. In 1957, he and several businessmen founded the Tucson Cowboys Football Team, the only franchise professional football team other than the NFL. Dr. Fontenova was a member of El Rio, 49ers and Skyline Country Clubs and had 10 holes in one in his golfing career. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Heart Association or the Tucson Humane Society. The family would like to thank Odyssey Hospice and caregivers, Betty, Lilia and Aurelia. Visitation will be at ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd., on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. Services will be private.