Aldo Mateo Fontana

Dec 16, 1922 - Aug 27, 2017

Aldo Mateo Fontana of Woodside passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 27, two days after his 71st wedding anniversary.

Aldo was born in Oakland, to Filippo and Giovanna (Nina) Fontana. He moved to Redwood City with his family as a young child. In 1941 he graduated from Sequoia High School and joined the army in 1942. He was one of the famed Merrill’s Marauders, a special operations jungle warfare unit, which fought in Southeast Asia in World War II, in China, Burma, and India. The unit became famous for its missions behind Japanese lines (a film was made of the unit in 1962). Aldo was stationed in Burma and received the Bronze Star with Valor for his service. Upon returning from the war, he took over his father’s business, Fontana’s Garden Supply and Fertilizer on Woodside Road, with his cousin Joe Balocco (deceased), and successfully ran the business for more than 35 years. In 1946, Aldo married his sweetheart Doris (Repetti) at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Redwood City. They have lived in Woodside for the past 65 years. Before and after retiring, Aldo enjoyed traveling to many countries, including more than 45 trips to his beloved Italy to spend time with his extended family. He loved listening to Italian music, especially Dean Martin, taking drives anywhere and everywhere, and visiting his many friends. He was extremely well read, visiting the library weekly and reading three newspapers each day. Aldo was a member of the Palo Alto Elks, The Sirs, ICF#6, and of the Redwood City YMCA.

The family would like to thank Aldo’s wonderful caregivers Nora and Jodee, and the staff at Pathways Hospice, especially Renato Catamura for his compassionate care. Aldo is survived by his beloved wife, Doris; his daughter, Doreen Werthmann (Steve) of Campbell; his son, Gary Fontana (Gail) of Aptos; grandchildren Gabriella and Griffin; and his aunt Emilia Cornero of Bene Vagienna, Italy, along with numerous cousins also in Italy. Aldo leaves behind a legacy of wisdom and inspiration about leading a life welllived. Viewing at 9:30 am on Wednesday, September 6, at Crippen and Flynn Woodside Chapel, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City. Funeral Mass follows at 11:00 am at Saint Pius Catholic Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, with burial immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos.