Frank L. Fontana

2023 - 2024

Dr. Frank Leonard Fontana MD, born August 14, 1929, son of Michele and Fiorina Fontana; nephew to Francesco Fontana; brother to Rose Gallo and Dr. Armand Fontana; and father to Leslie, David, and Jane Fontana. Husband to the late Marion Fontana, and soulmate of Janet Torriero. Grandfather to Emilia and Francesca Matarese, Cruz and Fontana Micucci, and uncle to Dr. Michael Fontana, Dr. Robert Fontana, and Gerri and Bill Stern. Loved dearly by Gino, Mali, Luca, and Nello Torriero. Dr. Fontana was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School (1947), the University of Pittsburgh (1950), and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (1954). He spent his surgical residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, then served as a Captain of the United States Army Medical Corps in Camp Walters, Texas at a MASH Hospital. For his service to his country, he received a U.S. Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service for his actions during Hurricane Carla and the aborted invasion of Cuba. After returning to Pittsburgh, he continued his illustrious medical career, practicing at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Suburban East Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, and McKeesport Hospital in the greater Pittsburgh area. He was later named Chief of Surgery and Residency Program Director, then Medical Director at McKeesport Hospital after many successful years of service. In addition to his surgical duties, Dr. Fontana pioneered the use of EEA stapling devices and performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy at McKeesport Hospital. Even after retirement, Dr. Fontana dedicated his time as a staff member at his neighborhood health clinic in Naples, Florida, and maintained his medical licenses in both Pennsylvania and Florida. Because of his immense talent, Dr. Fontana is responsible for training numerous surgeons who practice across the country and holds memberships and recognitions from multiple societies: the Laparoscopic Society, the American Italian Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the Allegheny Pennsylvania Medical Society. He also served on the board and in various positions for the Allegheny Board of Health, the Mayview Hospital Board, the David Lawrence Rehabilitation Center in Naples, Florida, and the American Board of Surgery. He also served as an Associate Professor of Surgery at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. While Dr. Fontana's legacy lives on in his many accomplishments as a surgeon and medical practitioner, he was also known as an avid golfer, big game hunter, and loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He always loved to tell jokes, and, famously, never told the same one twice. His life and accomplishments will be remembered by many and will be missed dearly.