Robert George Fontello

Sergeant Major Robert G. ('Bob') Fontello, Jr. departed this life on 4 August 2024. He passed away peacefully at home in Horntown, VA. A career Marine, he kept his oath to the last and died faithful to his country and to God.
Bob was born in Wilmington, DE on 16 August 1959, the son of Robert G. Fontello, Sr. and Florence Fontello (née Conroy). He attended Christiana High School in Newark, DE, where his classmates still recall a handsome and funny young man with a smile that could get him in and out of trouble. Bob carried that smile with him all his days. His sense of humor was profound. Its size matched the bigness of his heart, and both saw him through the rigors of bootcamp at MCRD San Diego, where he graduated top of his class as Platoon Honor Man. Bob's heart and sense of humor also sustained him through his 25-year career in the Marine Corps. Over those years, he was deployed to areas of conflict around the world. During the Bosnian War, he went behind enemy lines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to rescue Air Force pilot Scott O'Grady. He also served as Marine One Helicopter Crew Chief for President Ronald Reagan and, as a proof of Bob's adaptability and outgoing nature, as the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Commander in Corpus Christi, TX. After his military career, Bob continued to support Marine aviation in his role as a Program Operations Manager at Sikorsky, where his leadership and teamwork abilities were prized. As time allowed, he also indulged his passions for hunting, grilling, fine cigars and the great outdoors.
During his sixty-four years on earth, Bob touched and protected countless lives. He also made many lasting friendships. His love for laughter and fun was infectious, and men and women who served under his command have credited him with putting them on the right path. These friendships were a great comfort to Bob and his family during his final years. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. Undeterred, he determined to live out his days to the fullest, including making a long-planned ride to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. He also seized the opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones from across the country. Bob shared these last adventures with his beloved wife, Pamela Douglas-Fontello. The two met in Texas in 2005 and married in 2008, adding new members to the family was the greatest source of joy in Bob's life. In addition to Pamela, Bob is survived by his brother John, his first wife Collen, as well as his son Ryan, Ryan's wife Jacklyn and their children Carson, Abigale, and Cameron; his daughter Marie, Marie's husband Jake and their children Emma and Claire; his stepsons Christopher and Kevin, and their spouses Katherine and Madie. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Irene and Louise, and his stepdaughter Sarah, with whom he has been reunited through his faith in Christ.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, 22 August at Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, MD: receiving friends from 3:00pm; service at 4:00pm. Military Honors will be bestowed in a private service at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers please make any charitable donations to The Sergeant Major's Named Fund ALS United Mid-Atlantic 1015 Virginia Drive-Suite 110 Fort Washington, PA: https://alsmidatlantic.org/named-funds/the-sergeant-majors-fund/. Arrangments are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Condolences may be shared with the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.