Richard Fonti

Richard Allen Fonti, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, engineer, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026, at the age of 88. Richard was born on September 5, 1937, in Amarillo, Texas, to Johnnie and Annabelle Fonti. He was the eldest of three children, followed by his sisters, Linda and Judy, learning the values of hard work, integrity, and dedication that would guide him throughout his life.

Richard spent his childhood in Amarillo, where he graduated from high school and attended college, pursuing studies in Electrical Engineering. In 1956, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy. During his service, he traveled extensively aboard the USS Uhlmann, experiencing countries and cultures around the world. It was during one of his visits to California that he met the love of his life, Loretta Mary Cosgro. Richard and Loretta were married in Torrance, California, in 1962 and built a beautiful life together, raising three children: Jonathan, Elizabeth, and Adam.

Dedicated to lifelong learning and professional excellence, Richard earned his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach, in 1969. While working for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), he continued his education, earning a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC). He enjoyed a distinguished career with LADWP before retiring in 1996.

Richard cherished time spent with his family and especially loved traveling together. Among his favorite adventures were towing a travel trailer across the country during the nation's Bicentennial celebration in 1976, exploring Europe, traveling through Alaska in a 21-foot motorhome, annual family vacations to Bass Lake, and memorable hunting trips to Oklahoma with his sons, grandson, and cousin, Earnest. These trips created treasured memories that his family will forever hold close to their hearts.

Above all else, Richard's greatest joy was his family. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Jonathan, Courtney, Caitlian, Nicki, and Lisa, and a loving great-grandfather to Sofia, Diego, and Jude. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of another great-grandson, due in August to Courtney, a blessing he was excited to welcome.

In his retirement, Richard discovered a passion for gardening. He especially enjoyed experimenting with different methods of growing tomatoes and peppers, always looking for new ways to improve his harvest. He found great satisfaction in tending his garden and sharing its bounty with family and friends.

Richard made his home in Cerritos, California, where he lived until his passing. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering work ethic, love of learning, adventurous spirit, and deep devotion to his family. His kindness, wisdom, and steady presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Richard's final resting place will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California.