BIDDEFORD — J.P. Fontaine, 75, of Biddeford, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at The Landing at Saco Bay, formerly the Monarch.

He was born in Biddeford on Aug. 28, 1942 a son of the late Ernest and Germaine (Landry) Fontaine. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and in 1961 graduated from St. Louis High School. He joined the Navy soon after graduation and served on the USS Lenawee Troop Transport, transporting servicemen to Vietnam. Following his discharge he served in the Naval Reserves for 10 years, then another 10 years in the National Guard Army Reserve, 133rd Engineering Division retiring in 1986 with a total of 25 years of service

In 2004, he retired from General Dynamics in Saco, formerly known as Maremont after 38 years of employment. He was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Parish. J.P. was a dedicated volunteer for the Saco Meal’s Program, feeding the hungry. He was also dedicated to the East Biddeford Little League, as well as serving as manager of the B.S.B. (Biddeford Savings Bank) team. He followed his son’s youth sports, playing a role as official scorekeeper and umpiring both the Little and Senior Leagues. He enjoyed bowling in multiple men’s leaguges at both 20th Century and Vacationland Bowling. He also enjoyed trolling on the Saco River with his kid brother Marc and in his younger years he liked to go deer hunting.

J.P. was a dedicated family man who not only loved participating in his children’s sporting events, but also took great pride in not missing and making sure to attending all of their concerts, recitals and plays. He loved being Pépère and took pride rocking those babies to sleep.

J.P. was predeceased by his furry friends Buffy, Mica, Angel and Miss Kitty.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jackie (Roy) Fontaine of Biddeford; children, Cheryl Beaupre and her husband, Steve, Cathleen Kiley, Shawn Fontaine and his wife, Alison; nine grandchildren, Katrina, Minh, Bailey, Michael, Abby, Megan, Drew, Nathan, Matthew; one great-granddaughter, Cai; siblings, Richard Fontaine and his wife, Paulette, Dianne Baker, Marc Fontaine and his significant other, Suzanne Lemay; his sister-in-law, Janet Champagne who spent hours weekly with Jackie exercising and helping to care for J.P. for the past 25 months at the Monarch; along with several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Saco, 271 Main St.. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will take place that afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Stanley Road in Springvale.

Those planning and expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations in his memory to the St. Louis Alumni Associates, 649 Elm St., Biddeford, Maine 04005, Saco Meals Program Soup Kitchen, PO Box 513, Saco, Maine 04072, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Route 1 #2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074.

The family would like to thank the staff at Monarch for the compassionate and loving care given to J.P. and his family these past 25 months, as well as the staff of Beacon Hospice for the past 12 months.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale.

Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com