Raymond ‘Ray’ F. Fontaine Jr.

ESCANABA — Raymond “Ray” F. Fontaine Jr., 81, of 421 S. 30th St., passed away Thursday evening, July 11, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born on June 23, 1938, in Lake Linden, Mich., the son of Raymond and Annabelle (Belisle) Fontaine Sr. He was raised in Lake Linden and was a 1956 graduate of Lake Linden High School. Following graduation, he served his country in the U.S. National Guard. Ray had a passion for music and enjoyed playing the trumpet in a band. While playing at an event at the Golden Pheasant, a young woman caught his eye and he told a member of the band that he was going to marry her someday. Ray was right; on Jan. 20, 1962, he married the former Shirley Ronquist at St Joseph Church in Lake Linden. Ray began his working career in Sandusky, Mich., as a lumber grader. He then served as a police officer in Munising, Mich., and later with the Michigan State Police in Marquette, Mich. In 1968, Ray started is Prudential Insurance career in Hancock, Mich., then transferred to Ironwood, Mich., and then on to Escanaba, Mich. He retired in 1993 as an office manager in Iron Mountain, Mich. Following retirement, Ray and Shirley moved to Escanaba. Ray loved being around people and enjoyed helping his son at Breezy Point for the past 13 years. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba, a life member of the Escanaba Elk’s Lodge 354, a member of the Escanaba Fraternal Order of the Eagles 1088 and was a member of the NRA. Ray lived life to its fullest and loved having a good time. He was an avid Detroit Lions fan, loved riding his motorcycle, playing cards and helping anyone who needed it. He could easily put a smile on someone’s face and always had a good story to tell. Family meant to world to Ray and Ray meant the world to them. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.