Early in the morning on Monday, September 30, 2024, Enrique Fontanez, 93, left us to be with the Lord. He resided in Ocala, Florida, and was born to the late Marcelo and Venancia Fontanez on March 15, 1931, in Cidra, Puerto Rico.
Enrique left Puerto Rico as a young man looking for work to support himself and his family. He started in New Jersey where he farmed tomatoes, then moved to Pennsylvania where he worked at a corn factory, and finally settled down in Indiana where he met his wife, Ana Rosa, of 70 years, and had ten children. While in Indiana, Enrique held many jobs, including taxi driver and pizza delivery, but primarily as a steel worker with Inland Steel. Enrique moved to Lehigh Acres, Florida to retire in warm weather but could not sit still so he became a Walmart greeter. He then moved back to his home state of Indiana and finally settled back in Ocala, Florida where he resided his last 13 years.
Enrique dedicated his life to God and served as a preacher, Sunday school teacher, treasurer, president of the men’s ministry, church bus driver, and spread the gospel to everyone. He also loved to spend time in his garden and shopping for his next home or car.
He was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all, and a man who would give his shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. He never met a stranger.
Enrique was preceded in death by his sons Moises Fontanez and Daniel Fontanez, grandsons Hector Fontanez JR and Joshua Fontanez, and brother Mateo Fontanez.
Enrique is survived by his wife Ana Rosa Fontanez; children Enrique Fontanez JR, Ruben Fontanez, Hector Fontanez, Samuel Fontanez, Edwin Fontanez, Annette (Bobby) Diorio, Elizabeth Fontanez, and Olga (Rodney) Taylor; siblings Maria Fontanez, Jose Luis (Adelina) Fontanez, Esther (Marcelino) Hernandez, Carmen (Gamalier) Crespo, and Marcelo (Carmen) Fontanez; and a bounty of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial visitation will be held at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m. for the public, and a service at 3:00 p.m. A graveside burial ceremony will be held at Highland Memorial Park on Thursday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m.