Guy Fontaine

Guy Edward Fontaine VIRGINIA BEACH - G. E. "Pete" Fontaine, 88, of Baylake Retirement, went to be with the Lord Sept. 5, 2009. He was born May 22, 1921, in Detroit and was the first son of Joseph Edward and Helen Doench Fontaine. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Maxine Fontaine; son, Guy Edward Fontaine Jr. of Norfolk; daughter, Helen Fontaine McClendon and husband Charles D. McClendon of Ohio; two grandchildren, Virginia Leigh Thrasher of Fairfax, Va., Warren Le Thrasher of Chesapeake. Mr. Fontaine was predeceased by his second son, Charles Byron Fontaine formerly of Virginia Beach; a brother, Raymond A. Fontaine, formerly of Arlington, Va.; and a sister, Jean A. Romberg, formerly of Spokane, Wash. Mr. Fontaine graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Md., in 1939. He spent 2½ years at the University of Maryland before he decided to serve his country in World War II and was accepted into the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as a cadet/midshipman in May of 1942. His time in the academy was spent doing a tour of the South Pacific from September 1942 through May 1943. He graduated from the academy in December 1944 and was commissioned as an U.S. Navy Reserve ensign with orders on the USS Warren, APA 53 in the Pacific. He participated in the invasion of Guam, Peleliu, Leyte, and Lingayen Gulf. He also participated in the transportation of U.S. occupation forces to Tokyo. Later in the war, he participated in the transportation of Chinese national troops from South Indochina to Northern China. He then reported to the USS Thurston, AP77 for Magic Carpet Duty to return U.S. troops home to the States. He was released from active duty in 1946 as a lieutenant junior grade, U.S. Navy Reserve. Mr. Fontaine graduated from The George Washington University in September 1948 and began his 33-year long banking career in Norfolk with the National Bank of Commerce, 1955, and later as the senior vice president with Crestar Bank before retiring in August 1986. During his time as a banker, he obtained a graduate certificate from the American Institute of Banking where he also served as an instructor; graduated from the School of Retail Banking where he had his graduate thesis accepted and served as thesis advisor; was a member of the Board of Trustees and Better Business Bureau; and served as a president of the Norfolk Retail Credit Association where he was a recipient of the William J. Ralston award. Mr. Fontaine loved to sail and explore the Chesapeake Bay with his friends and later his children. His true loves were his wife and his children. In his later years, he received much joy from his two grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Mr. Fontaine was a member of Kempsville Presbyterian Church. His memorial service will be held at the church Monday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made either to Kempsville Presbyterian Church, World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 or to your favorite charity. Condolences may be offered at www.mem.com.