Anthony A. Fountain, age 86, died June 15 at the Maine Veteran Home in South Paris, Maine. Born in Lynn, MA, he was the son of the late Sarah Jane (McFadden) & Oliver Shead Fountain.
Mr. Fountain was an expert on carousels. He turned his work on carousels and ferris wheels as a young man growing up during the depression into a lifelong passion and area of expertise. He was contacted by a curator at the Smithsonian Institute at one point and asked to identify songs on an early 20th century piano roll because of his extensive knowledge of music played on band organs. Anthony was a member of the Music Box Society and the National Carousel Organ Association of America. His article, “Memories of a Wheel Man,” detailed his early experiences with ferris wheels. An avid collector, his collection included several music boxes, phonographs, records, piano rolls and other instruments and types of early 20th century carousel organ music.
Mr. Fountain attended Catholic Schools in Lynn, MA. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the depression. He served in the US Navy during World War II aboard the destroyer, USS Fiske, which was deployed in the North Atlantic. During his military service he received training at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He re-enlisted in the Naval Reserves during the Korean War. Mr. Fountain was employed by the Rapid Transit Corporation in Brighton, MA. After retirement from the Rapid Transit Corp., he worked briefly for Polaroid Corp of Waltham. Married in 1942 to Matilda (D´Alessandro), they lived in Medford from 1942 until his retirement in 1985. They retired to Norway, Maine.
In addition to his beloved wife Matilda, he was the devoted father of Christine Beckett of Malden, Peter Fountain of Winthrop, Jane Fountain Serio of Sturbridge, Susan Fountain of Lynn, Frank Fountain of Maine and Maria Cascio of Revere. Also survived by 10 loving grandchildren and 4 loving great grandchildren. Brother of the late John, Matthew, James, Katherine Fountain and Helen Barton.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD, Saturday at 8 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High St., Medford at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in Anthony´s memory to the Alzheimers Assoc., 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.