Antonino Fontana first appears at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, about 1915. Antonino moved his family from Cumberland, Maryland, to Painesville. In America, Antonino Fontana was known Tony Fontana.
Antonino Fontana, son of Salvatore Fontana and Santa Caporrino, was born on Friday, June 15, 1883, at Palermo, Sicily. Antonino married Antonina Riccobono, daughter of Francesco Riccobono and Giuseppa Mersino, at Palermo, Sicily. Antonino died on January 24, 1921, at Painesville Hospital, Painesville, Ohio, at age 37. He was the victim of a homicide. His body was interred at St. Mary Cemetery at Painesville Township, Lake County, Ohio.
Antonino Fontana first immigrated to the United States on July 6, 1907, at age 24, travelling to Cumberland, Allegheny County, Maryland. Antonino Fontana is cited on a passenger ship manifest re-entering to the United States on June 9, 1909, at age 25, travelling to Reading, Pennsylvania. He was previously in the United States from 1907 until 1909.
Antonino Fontana registered for the World War I Draft on September 12, 1918. He was living at 627 State Street, Painesville, Ohio. Antonio was employed by the Diamond Alkali Company. Mr. Fontana was enumerated for the 1920 Census of the United States, on January 6, 1920, living at 108 Railroad Street, Painesville, Ohio.
On Sunday, January 23, 1921, Joe Nasca held a christening party for his daughter at their North State Street home. Some thirty guests were in attendance. During the party four men were shot, one fatally: “Shortly before ten o’clock Antonio Fontana entered the room and spoke to Frank Sapienza. They stepped outside and as they did so they were followed by Emanuel Bonsignore and Joe Educato. It is alleged that the latter two commenced shooting and Fontana and Sapienza were both victims. Others at the party rushed out of the house and in the shooting affray Mariano DeLisio and Giuseppe Giaconia were wounded.”
Antonino Fontana’s brother Stefano Fontana was also a Painesville Italian. Painesville Italians Salvatore Caporrino, Giuseppe Caporrino, and brothers, Pietro DiMaggio and Salvatore DiMaggio were probably related to Mr. Fontana’s mother, Santa Caporrino.
The known children of Antonino Fontana and Antonina Riccobono were as follows:
1. Giovanna Fontana was born on October 24, 1900, at Palermo, Sicily. Giovanna married Lorenzo Casanova, son of Biaggio Casanova and Maria Giancola, on December 10, 1918, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. Giovanna left Painesville sometime after 1920.
2. Salvatore Fontana was born on May 16, 1905, at Palermo, Sicily. He left Painesville somtime after 1931.
3. Francesco Fontana was born about 1910, at Palermo, Sicily. He left Painesville somtime after 1930.
4. Santa Fontana was born about 1914 at Maryland. Santa moved to the Bronx, New York City, between 1930 and 1935. She married Dominick Pinto. Santa Fontana was enumerated in the 1940 Federal Census as Constance Pinto living in the Bronx, New York City.
5. Stephen Fontana was born about 1917 at Ohio. He moved to the Bronx, New York City, between 1930 and 1935. Stephen Fontana was enumerated in the 1940 Federal Census living with his sister, Santa Fontana (Constance Pinto) at the Bronx, New York City.
6. Joseph Fontana was born about 1919 at Ohio. He moved to the Bronx, New York City, between 1930 and 1935. Joseph Fontana was enumerated in the 1940 Federal Census living with his sister, Santa Fontana (Constance Pinto) at the Bronx, New York City.
