Joseph John Fontana (1935-2021) was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was, raised by a large, close-knit, Sicilian-American family, which included working in his father's shoe shop as he was growing up. Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a devoted and beloved pastor, and a gifted poet, publishing four books and earning several awards. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, a skilled poker player, and a semi-pro catcher and second baseman in his younger years. As an old friend said, "His poetry, his wit, his caring and compassion and his friendship will be remembered by all of us whose life he touched.".
