ANTIOCH — Leo Fontana, a longtime philanthropist and Antioch businessman, was honored during a rededication of the new water fountain in front of Antioch City Hall.
Through his Leo Fontana Youth Foundation, the Antioch volunteer has helped with numerous local activities and events, including donating to local school sports programs and serving on many boards and organizations and helping bring a hospital to town. He also was a former city council member and planning commissioner.
“Today our city is firmly cemented in the idea that opportunity lives here,” Mayor Lamar Thorpe said in front of the fountain during the ceremony last week. “And today rededicate the fountain and its namesake to the honorable Leo Fontana, who is and embodies the idea of opportunity in our community.
“Mr. Fontana is an extremely generous spirit that over 70 years of business ownership, community leadership and philanthropy, has touched and continues to touch the lives of many Antioch residents.”
The new fountain, a black structure with water streaming from five rectangular pillars, was part of a City Hall Plaza exterior remodeling project, which also included demolishing the old fountain and relocating lighting and a flagpole.
Thorpe called Fontana a “strong pioneer in the development of eastern Contra Costa County and a trailblazer” for his work bringing Delta Memorial Hospital, County East Mall, East County Bank and the Antioch Senior Citizens Center into existence.
Fontana operated a stationery and office supplies store on Second Street from 1946 through 1986. He also worked with the Parks & Recreation Commission, as planning and served on the boards of Delta Advocacy, the Antioch Senior Center, Antioch Historical Society and the Antioch Sports Museum.
He also was inducted into the Antioch Sports Legends in 2008 for his five decades of service in organizing community sports.
The mayor also credited Fontana for creating Anitoch’s chamber of commerce as well as his leadership in many charitable organizations as well as promoting education.
“He was extremely passionate about education,” Thorpe said. “Hundreds and hundreds of young people throughout eastern Contra Costa got the opportunity to go to college because of his encouragement, his generosity, employment and mentoring that he provided.”
Fontana, now in his 90s and living in a care center, could not attend, but a recording of his 2009 speech at Cal State East Bay Concord campus was played. The university bestowed an honorary degree on him that year for his support of youth and education.
“One thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of being involved in your community, wherever that may be,” Fontana said in part during his speech. “Volunteering and community involvement provide you with many additional learning opportunities, a perspective on life that you might otherwise not have.”
Thorpe said Fontana’s words ring true today.
“I think his words were timeless, when he gave that speech, because I think they’re so relevant to where we’re at today, as a city, as a state and as a country as we rebuild from COVID, as we rebuild from this economic crisis that we’re currently experiencing,” Thorpe said.
