Richard Paul Fontecchio

Memorial service for Richard Paul Fontecchio will be 1:00 PM Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Aurora with John Jacquart officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora at a later date. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Mr. Fontecchio died Monday, January 27, 2014 at Essentia Health Northern Pines in Aurora. Richard was born on November 6, 1938 to Paul and Lila (Maki) Fontecchio in Biwabik. He grew up in Aurora and graduated from the Aurora High School, Class of 1957. Following school Richard went to work at Erie Mining Company until his retirement in 1992 after 34 years of service. Richard and his wife, Elaine, were united in marriage on July 31, 1992 in Virginia. He was a member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Aurora. He was active in leading bible study groups as well as sharing his ministry by regularly visiting people in the hospital. He had been the Governor of the Aurora Moose Club. Richard was a bass player for the “No Strings Attached” band. He enjoyed being in the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Elaine; two children, Paul Fontecchio of Anoka, MN and Jean Hanson of Cincinnati, OH; step-children, Tracy, Lisa, & Keith, Carrie (Dave) Kosier of Embarrass, Brian (Shelly) Leffel of Hoyt Lakes, Linda (Jeff) Patterson of Hibbing, and Rob (Jenny) Leffel of Hoyt Lakes; grandchildren, Carina and Gino Fontecchio and Kyle and Erik Hanson; several step-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lauri Trunzo; a special aunt, Rose Boelka; and his parents.