William Fontes

William Fontes

Ridgewood, NJ - William George Fontes, 89, of Greenfield, MA and Ridgewood, NJ, passed peacefully on September 18, 2025 with his children and their partners by his side.

Bill was born in Bermuda in 1935 to Joseph and Virgina Fontes. He came to Midland Park, NJ at the age of 7 with his mother and sister, while his father continued to work in Bermuda to support his family, eventually joining them in 1944. Bill graduated from Saint Luke's High School in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and served in the National Guard.

In 1960, Bill married the love of his life, Honore Culleton and they were married for 62 years. Together they raised their three children in Ridgewood, NJ, enjoyed time spent with the Hobbyists, traveled the world visiting 6 of the 7 continents, loved camping in the Northeast, fishing at Lake Gananoque in Canada with his buddies, and spent decades in Montauk, NY where they built a second home enjoying adventures together and sharing time with family.

From a young age, Bill worked with his father in the restaurant business, eventually owning his own; The Ridge Restaurant in Ridgewood, NJ from 1972 – 1982. After he sold the restaurant, he bought a Pepperidge Farms Bread Route until his retirement in 1999. He lived most of his life in Bergen County, NJ, spending his last year at the Arbors Assisted Living Facility in Greenfield, MA to be closer to family.

Bill leaves behind daughter Helene Marangi (Mike) of Cape Coral, FL; son William C. Fontes and daughter-in-law Elissa Viarengo of Heath, MA; Grandchildren Ruby and Simone Fontes, and Tyler Viarengo; and sister Mary Ann Chadowrowski of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Honore'; and daughter Suzanne.

A private family service will be held in the Spring in Montauk, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Leukemia Research Foundation at www.leukemiarf.org / Childhood Leukemia Foundation at www.clf4kids.org

We will forever cherish his sassy as hell sense of humor, his incredible breakfasts, and sipping gin and tonics together. Rest easy now Pop, we'll take it from here.