Laura Fontana

Laura Fontana 1924 - 2021
ST. JOHNSVILLE - Mrs. Laura Fontana, age 96, a lifelong resident of St. Johnsville, NY, passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
Laura was born on July 20, 1924, in St. Johnsville, the daughter of the late Carlo Cochi and Leonina (Forcinella) Cochi. Following her father's death at age 46, Laura worked alongside her mother running the family Esso Gas Station and store where she gained independence and a strong work ethic. Laura graduated from St. Johnsville High School in 1941. Upon graduation, she attended Mildred Elley Business School in Albany. Following completion of the program, she returned to St. Johnsville and was employed by Central National Bank.
Laura was united in marriage to Dominick Fontana on November 9, 1952, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, St. Johnsville. Dominick and Laura's 49 years of marriage were filled with wonderful times spent with family and friends.
After staying home to raise her daughters for several years, she returned to work as the secretary to the guidance counselor at St. Johnsville High School. Laura was highly respected as she developed strong relationships with both staff and students.
She loved her hometown of St. Johnsville and was an active member of her community, attending Business Girls meetings and other village events. Laura truly brought joy to everyone she met with her enthusiasm, bright smile and friendly wave. She had the gift of making anyone she met feel comforted and welcomed. Laura cherished her family and valued every holiday and family get-together. She will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Laura is survived by her daughters, Joan Fontana and Janice (Shawn) Clouthier; her grandson, Jacob (Jennifer) Bogardus; granddaughters, Victoria (Kyle) Yost, Alexa Clouthier (Chandler Pulliam) and Lauren Bogardus; and great-grandson, William Dominick Yost. She is also survived by her brother, Carl Cochi; sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Cochi; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Dominick; her brother and sister-in-law, Oscar and Winifred Cochi; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Augustio and Angelina Fontana and Andrew and Teresa Susi.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 115 Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY. Laura will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Dominick, at the St. Johnsville Cemetery. There are no calling hours. If you plan to attend the funeral services, due to COVID restrictions, a face mask will be required.
Per family request, please do not order flowers on the funeral home website. In lieu of floral offerings, it is the wish of the family that memorial donations may be made in Laura's name to either the St. Johnsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. (SAVAC) (2814), 14 Washington Street, PO Box 296, St. Johnsville, NY 13452 or the St. Johnsville Fire Department, 6 West Main St., St. Johnsville, NY 13452.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of St. Johnsville Bassett Center with very special thanks to Dr. Hunter Marlo and Dr. Ashox Patel of Central New York Cardiology.
The Fontana family has entrusted the care of the funeral arrangements to the original Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street, St. Johnsville, NY (518) 568-2300, Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors.
Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com where a special online tribute has been established.