"I became friends with Rodney working at Quonset Point N. A. S. We car pooled and hung out becoming great friends...I also went to North Island but returned to Rhode Island in 1975. I will always remember laughingly how he rephered to me as ( sweet pea ) , and sometimes ( his token white guy )....when I pass I will gladly be by his side in heaven .... Joseph Marsella "
In loving memory of
Rodney Lawrence Fontes
October 11, 1950 - October 8, 2021
Rodney Lawrence Fontes entered into God's Kingdom at 11:31pm on Friday October 8, 2021 in the VA Hospital in La Jolla after a short, heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rodney was born on Wednesday October 11, 1950 at Lying-In Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the first child (and only boy) born to Doris (nee Gomes) and Irving Fontes. Rodney accepted Christ at an early age and grew up as a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Providence. After moving to California, he became a member of Mountain High Ministries and his pastor was Pastor Buddy Hauser.
He attended Doyle Avenue Elementary, Nathan Bishop Middle School and Hope High School, all in Providence. Rodney was a driven and enterprising young man from an early age and took on a paper route. Despite the crack of dawn mornings before school it required, he handled it every morning and even shared some of his earnings with his little sisters for pocket money. After graduation, he joined the armed forces at the tender age of 17 and served as a proud Marine in the Vietnam War.
In 1973, he married Dianne Freeman (of Pawtucket, RI) and they shared a daughter Rhonda Lynn who was born three days after his 22nd birthday. Rodney, Dianne and Rhonda moved to San Diego, California where Rodney was employed as an aircraft mechanic at North Island Naval Air Station. The marriage ended in divorce a few years later and Rodney remained in San Diego until he went to be with The Lord.
He was a voracious reader and enjoyed exploring various subjects but especially astronomy, history, biographies of notable individuals and theology just to name a few. His favorite lifelong hobby was building and running toy train sets and he was a serious music aficionado and melomaniac to put it mildly. He inherited his mothers's sweet tooth and thoroughly enjoyed cakes, Twinkies and Haagen-Daz vanilla ice cream but also never met a can of Pringles he didn't like. Lastly but certainly not least, anyone who knew Rodney knew how much he loved God and should take comfort in the fact that he was eagerly awaiting their meeting and is now happily sitting by His side.
He will be missed by all who knew him. Rodney leaves to cherish his memory his only child and grandchild, daughter Rhonda Fontes and granddaughter Ava Hardson (both of Los Angeles), sisters Joyce and Charmon Fontes (of Providence and San Diego respectively), nephews Brian and Eric Hopkins of Providence, and a host of beloved relatives and friends.
The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy through flowers and tangible items instead remember Rodney in the form of contributions to Mt. High Ministries in his name and honor.
The family also wishes to acknowledge with our sincerest gratitude each and every act of kindness and expression of sympathy shown during this most difficult time.
Luncheon to follow hosted by Rhonda at 1:45pm. Location is Brigantine Restaurant located at 1360 Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego, 92101.
Tributes
"My Deepest Condolences to my cousins Rhonda, on the loss of her father and Joyce and Charmon on the loss of their Brother. I truly have many memories of Rodney growing up on Pleasant street, he was a big part of my life until he moved away to California. My love and prayers are with you all."