Rosario J. “Russ” Fontana, of Medford, died after a brief illness at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Sunday morning. He was 89.

Mr. Fontana was born and raised in Boston’s North End, the son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Baglio) Fontana. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific and again stepped up to serve his Nation by re-enlisting and serving in the Navy for the Korean War. A member of the Amvets Assoc., Russ worked as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service. A Medford resident for many years, Russ enjoyed time with his wife and family and friends.

The beloved husband of Edith (Bennino) Fontana, he was a devoted step-father of Deborah Rocco and her husband Anthony of Tewksbury, Horace DiSano and his wife Lynn of NJ. He was a loving grandfather to Michael and Alicia Rocco; Gina Gibson and her husband Dan. He was also a loving great-grandfather to Nicholas and Michael Gibson. The dear brother of
Joseph Fontana and his wife Helen of Saugus, Josephine Della Pella and her husband Mario of Medford, Rose Villanucci and her husband Benny of Malden and the late Nunzio, Rocco and James Fontana, he also leaves many dear nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Friday April 25th at 8 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden at 9 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday 4 – 8 PM.