Richard Fontaine – the co-founder, chairman and president of Fraser Fontaine and Kong Ltd. (FFK) was hailed by Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart as an astute businessman who has made a remarkable contribution to Jamaica.

Fraser, 75-years-old, died on April 11 after a brief battle with prostate cancer.

A thanksgiving service celebrating his life was held at Sts Peter & Paul Church located off Old Hope Road in Kingston last Wednesday.

Dr Raymond Clough read a tribute on behalf of Stewart, the Jamaica Observer Chairman, who was a close friend to Fontaine for decades.

Clough said Fontaine was affectionately called ‘Fons’ by Stewart and was a man who was always willing to share his incredible depth of knowledge and experience.

Clough said Stewart and Fontaine met in Ocho Rios decades ago, and since then, they have stayed closed friends.

“It is difficult to contemplate a Jamaica without the warmth of Richard Fontaine’s personality and his fun-loving ways,” Dr Clough said, “Richard was always willing to share his incredible depth of knowledge and experience, an attribute which led him to give voluntary service in various areas of national endeavour,” he added on Stewart’s behalf.

“Today I remember Fons, as I called him, as a treasured friend. Our lives seemed to have run along parallel lines. When I think of Fons, I remember the song, ‘That’s what friends are for’ because we were always there for each other, in good times and bad times,” he said.

He said one of the latest and most memorable moments Stewart shared with Fontaine, occurred late last year when they went on a cruise to Alaska.

“I shall miss my friend. He was a good man, outgoing, down to Earth and easy to be with. I never heard him say anything bad about anyone. A very positive; loving person. His philosophy was to always look for the good in everyone and everything,” he said.

Martine and Gerard Fontaine, children of Fontaine also offered tributes at the thanksgiving service.

Martine Fontaine used the opportunity to reflect on the blissful moments she shared with her father during the final months of his life.

“Life is funny. We all have circumstances or situations that come our way for which we have no choice. But, we do have a choice in how we face them. I choose to say the privilege of time with Daddy,” a teary-eyed Martine Fontaine said, as she begun reading her tribute.

“Dad chose to fight bravely, graciously and with an awesome spirit. A couple of weeks after his diagnosis, I was in Miami with Daddy going through tests and scans. In the midst of all that, Dad looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes, laughing, as we hung out and said ‘we are having so much fun’,” she said, as she continued to reflect on the man she looked up to for guidance and protection.

“I had a very colourful relationship with my Dad. I admired my Daddy on so many levels. If I have to say his greatest attribute – it was his ability and willingness to listen and truly take on the challenge to change and become the better man he was,” she said.

Fontaine’s son Gerard Fontaine, reflected on the side of his father, who was an “icon in the insurance industry” and a man of “a solid reputation in business, based on integrity”.

Dale Wanliss, the current Vice President of Marketing at FFK and close colleague of Fontaine, remembered his colleague as a leader who would often set examples and utilised the tenets of integrity, respect, trust, loyalty and had a genuine interest in the welfare of his staff members.

“GRF always had the interest of his staff at the forefront, whether at work or at home. He ensured, that as far as possible, they were progressing in the job and in their personal lives,” Fontaine said during his tribute.

“GRF also assisted with the education of staff and their children, not only financially, but also encouragingly. He always wanted to know how your son or daughter was doing in academics and sports,” he added.

Wanliss further reflected on the numerous charities Fonatine pulled his staff members together to host and contribute towards.

“Perseverance – GRF never gave up, even when to all else, it seemed hopeless. He saw the proverbial glass half full; never half empty to the point where we also believed. We had a leader and we looked to him. I believe our confidence and faith gave him the strength to make decisions, sometimes unpopular ones, that were to be to the continued benefit to us at FFK,” Wanliss said.

Fontaine, who was born in Bridgetown Barbados, he became a naturalised Jamaican and attended St George’s College in Kingston, Jamaica. He also served as the chairman of the Consumers Affairs Commission, director/acting chairman of Things Jamaica Limited and was also chairman of numerous finance committees.

In life, Fontaine also served as a founding member, executive director and lifetime member of the Insurance Association of the Caribbean of which he was President at different intervals over the years. He is survived by his four children, Nicole, Martine, Julian and Gerard, stepson Andre Newman, grandson Joshua, brother Joe (Sony), sisters Gloria, Carol and Geraldine.