Richard Fonte

Richard "Eric" Fonte, age 29, was tragically killed in a plane crash in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003. His best friend, R.J. Cheverine, was also tragically killed several years prior on Aug. 1, 1998, in a white water rafting accident. Eric was born March 7, 1973, in Wheeling, W. Va. He attended Chartiers Valley High School and was a graduate of Robert Morris University. Eric was raised in the Pittsburgh area and was an avid Steelers fan. His first love was his family. His hobbies included boating, water skiing and volunteering at the Jacksonville Fire Department. He was in the process of completing his training so he could help out in the community. Friends say he enjoyed life tremendously. Eric was employed as a business development manager for Computer Associates, based out of Islandia, New York. His customers and business associates valued not only his skills but his rapport and great personality. He and his family attend First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. Eric is survived by his loving wife, Andrea Dillingham Fonte, 34; and their two beautiful daughters, Victoria Leigh, 3, and Kaitlyn Nicole, 1. Andrea was born and raised in Jacksonville. Eric and Andrea were married May 7, 1997, at the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. They lived in Raleigh and moved back to Jacksonville two years ago. Andrea's parents, David and Kathleen Dillingham and her brother, Robert, also reside in Jacksonville. Eric is also survived by his parents, Richard J. and Mary E. Roessler Fonte and his grandparents, Robert S. and Irene Fonte of Bridgeville, Pa. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the JONES FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 910-455-1281. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. He will be buried at the Onslow Memorial Park in Jacksonville. A memorial service in Pittsburgh will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the "Eric Fonte Memorial Fund," c/o Cooperative Bank, P.O. Box 1352, 400 Western Blvd., Jacksonville, N.C. 28546. All funds will go to his children.