William Fontes
Ridgewood, NJ – William George Fontes, 89, of Greenfield, MA and
Ridgewood, NJ, passed peacefully on September 18, 2025 with his
children and their partners by his side.
Bill was born in Bermuda in 1935 to Joseph and Virgina Fontes. He came
to Midland Park, NJ at the age of 7 with his mother and sister, while
his father continued to work in Bermuda to support his family,
eventually joining them in 1944. Bill graduated from Saint Luke’s High
School in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and served in the National Guard.
In 1960, Bill married the love of his life, Honore Culleton and they
were married for 62 years. Together they raised their three children
in Ridgewood, NJ, enjoyed time spent with the Hobbyists, traveled the
world visiting 6 of the 7 continents, loved camping in the Northeast,
fishing at Lake Gananoque in Canada with his buddies, and spent
decades in Montauk, NY where they built a second home enjoying
adventures together and sharing time with family.
From a young age, Bill worked with his father in the restaurant
business, eventually owning his own; The Ridge Restaurant in
Ridgewood, NJ from 1972 1982. After he sold the restaurant, he
bought a Pepperidge Farms Bread Route until his retirement in 1999. He
lived most of his life in Bergen County, NJ, spending his last year at
the Arbors Assisted Living Facility in Greenfield, MA to be closer to
family.
Bill leaves behind daughter Helene Marangi (Mike) of Cape Coral, FL;
son William C. Fontes and daughter-in-law Elissa Viarengo of Heath,
MA; Grandchildren Ruby and Simone Fontes, and Tyler Viarengo; and
sister Mary Ann Chadowrowski of Florida. He was preceded in death by
his parents; wife Honore’; and daughter Suzanne.
A private family service will be held in the Spring in Montauk, NY. In
lieu of flowers, please make donations to Leukemia Research Foundation
at www.leukemiarf.org / Childhood Leukemia Foundation at
www.clf4kids.org
We will forever cherish his sassy as hell sense of humor, his
incredible breakfasts, and sipping gin and tonics together. Rest easy
now Pop, we’ll take it from here.