Nicholas "Nick" Fonte, 75, of Fairmont, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025, after a short but valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. Nick was born May 13, 1949, to Nick and Susan Fonte of Fairmont.

An avid fisherman who loved the outdoors, Nick was a man of many interests and talents, including dancing, winemaking, gardening, canning peppers, and refereeing football and basketball. In 1994, he ran the Chicago Marathon. He especially enjoyed dancing and listening to the music of Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé. In his later years, he enjoyed community at his local Knights of Columbus chapter.

Nick received his bachelor's degree from Fairmont State and a master's degree from West Virginia University. He pursued a career in Safety and Environmental Management after one daunting trip 800 feet underground with his late father meant to discourage him from a dangerous career in the coal mines. Nick, instead, found success at Alcan beginning in the late seventies, which provided international travel opportunities for him. Some of his favorite locales included Japan, Sweden, Ireland, and France. The company also offered relocations for his family to Plainfield, NJ, Shorewood, IL, Bay St. Louis, MS, and Terre Haute, Indiana. Nothing, however, compared to the beauty of his home state of West Virginia, which he lovingly referred to as "Almost Heaven." In a full circle moment after having once restocked candy vending machines as one of his first jobs, Nick finished his career in safety at Nestlé, where he always had an abundant supply of Laffy Taffy and Nerds Ropes on hand for his children.

Nick spent his final weeks surrounded by the love and care of his children and grandchildren, playing games and watching holiday movies. He maintained his joy for life and sense of humor until the very end. He is survived by his daughter, Catherine and her husband, Michael; Christina, and her husband, Ryan; three grandchildren: Cedar, Ari, and Gigi; three step-grandchildren, Hannah, Hunter, and Lena; and sister Diana and husband, Kevin. Nick is preceded in death by his parents, Susan Marie Fonte, and Nick Fonte, and son, Michael Nicholas Fonte.

Family and friends will be received at Ross Funeral Home, 801 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM with a vigil service at 6:30 PM. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic church, 407 Jackson Street, Fairmont with Rev. Joseph M. Konikattil as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to www.rossfh.com.