Wayne Fontes

1925 - 2017

Wayne Fontes
Sept 23, 1925 - Dec 28, 2016
Capitola
Long time Capitola resident Anthony Wayne Fontes passed away on December 28, 2016, from causes incident to age. He was 91 years old. Known as Wayne, he was born on September 23, 1925 to Anthony Wayne and Eleanor Wilhelmina (Lynch) Fontes in San Mateo. His family later moved to Santa Cruz where he attended Mission Hill Junior High School and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1942. During World War II, he served in the Navy, then enrolled at San Jose State where he became a national champion boxer and married Audrey Cecile Totten. In 1950, he began a 30-year career in public education that saw him work as a teacher and principal. He moved to Capitola in 1962 and lived in a Victorian home on Depot Hill for the next 49 years. Wayne dedicated much of his life to public service as he was Principal at Capitola Intermediate School, served on various councils, boards and commissions, including the Capitola City Council and the Soquel Elementary School District Board. He is probably best known as one of the founding board members for the Wharf-to-Wharf Race.
As busy as he was in his public life, Wayne used his weekends, vacations and holidays to pursue his interests. He had a passion for unique used cars that always needed work, which he did himself. He enjoyed driving a 1959 Mercedes Coupe convertible with the music loud enough to be heard a block away. He was a handyman who built a summer cabin in Rio Del Mar, remodeled his Victorian home and hired out after retiring as an educator. He enjoyed following sports, especially boxing and those of his children. He liked listening to music and maintained a contemporary sound system and music collection through out his life.
Wayne was a loving husband and father and is survived by Audrey, his wife of 68 years, and children Jessie (Butch) Mudgett, Anthony Wayne "Tony" (Beverley) Fontes and Murray (Debbie) Fontes. His eight grandchildren include Anthony, Heath, Vince, Conrad, Wade, Alexandra, Cole and Taylor Fontes. His first great grandchild, Audrey Alabama Fontes, was born November 2016.
During the past five years, Wayne lived at Sunshine Villa Senior Living facility in Santa Cruz. His family would like to thank the staff at Sunshine Villa for their tender and loving care. A private family memorial is planned.
The measure of a man
Is the sense of loss felt on his passing
Our lost is great.


View the online memorial for Wayne Fontes