Capuchin Friar Michael Fountain

1944 - 2014

Fountain, Capuchin Friar Michael Died at the age of 70 years, on May 6, 2014, following a long battle with cancer. Michael was born in Remus, Michigan on March 10 1944. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Frances (Stamper) Fountain. Michael entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order in 1966, professed his perpetual vows in 1971, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1973. He served in pastoral ministry at three parishes in Milwaukee: St. Benedict the Moor, St. Elizabeth (now "St. Martin de Porres"), and St. Francis of Assisi; he also ministered for a time in a parish in Ponce, Puerto Rico. For the past 31 years, he was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Department of Comparative Literature, specializing in Holocaust literature. Michael was well-known for his ecumenical work with the Milwaukee-area Jewish Community, and served on the boards of the Center for Jewish Studies and the Holocaust Resource and Information Project. He also was a member of the advisory board for Cap Corps, the volunteer organization for Capuchins in the Midwest. Michael was also a well-known gourmet chef, who often offered his culinary arts to various organizations and festivities. Michael retired from UW-M in May 2013 due to his failing health. On hearing of his retirement, one of his students wrote to the College of Letters & Sciences: "Michael was one of the greatest parts of my experience at UW-M. I've never met anyone as genuinely kind nor as entirely human. He is a monument to patience, tolerance, and understanding. I am forever indebted to his tireless cheer and support during the challenges of graduate life." Michael is survived by his sisters, Janice Vogel, Jeanne (Larry) Perry, Mary Fountain, Patricia (James) Fountain, Maureen Fountain, Nina Fountain, and Teresa Cox, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his Aunts Virginia Hutson, Betty May, Marian Stamper, Mary Stamper, Kay Stamper, and his Uncle Arnold Fountain, and by his many Capuchin brothers with whom he lived, prayed and ministered for the past 48 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael's name to St. Ben's Community Meal (1015 N. 9th St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 or to the Jewish Community Center (6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53217). Memorial Visitation will be held at St. Martin de Porres Parish (128 W. Burleigh, Milwaukee) Sunday, May 11, from 6:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1927 N. 4th St., Monday, May 12, at 10:00 AM.