Arthur P Fonseca

Husband. Father. Son. Brother. Uncle. Friend. Arthur Fonseca was all of the above. An electronics engineer at Sperry and Grumman, he provided for his family practically but was a poet at heart.  He cherished his time at Regis High School, where he had an intellectual awakening, discovering the great poetry and igniting a lifelong love of poetry. The son of Spanish immigrants, Arthur Fonseca traveled to Spain throughout his life.  Together with his brother, Jimmy, he ensured that, over time, the family in Spain and the family in the United States got to know each other, enriching everyone’s lives with that connection. 

La hospitalidad y el cariño de su familia en Asturias, España fueron especiales para él. Le encantaba comer fabada y charlar con todo el mundo, disfrutando de las vistas del campo.

With his wife Naomi, he joined the Teams of Our Lady and made lifelong friends in the context of his Catholic faith, which was an essential part of his character. He believed Jesus was his brother, and he tried his best to live up to what he understood that to mean. 

His journey took him from a house in Forest Hills, Queens, to Spain, Cuba, and back to New York, with a stop in the Bronx before heading back with his family to the house where he was born. He mainly grew up there in Queens with his younger sister Doris, and his brothers Eddie and Jim (Jay to his Arth). His adventures with his brothers included playing elaborate homemade baseball “board” games created with paper and imagination when the real playing wasn’t possible.  These adventures continued into adult life as Jay and his wife, Connie, introduced Arthur to Connie’s childhood friend, Naomi. 

His dedication to his family was paramount. He truly was a family man.  His devotion to his wife and his love of his wife and children Paul, Elizabeth, and John, defined his life.  This love expanded to a large extended family of nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, and cousins.  They will remember his easy-going manner, his sharp bridge skills, and his lifelong support for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns despite being a native New Yorker and subject to their years of losing.

He was loyal; he was steadfast; he loved a glass of red wine; and he was kind.  His children remember that as kids, it was easy to make him laugh—and knew that if they did, whatever punishment was waiting would probably be waived. He wrote letters and drew in homemade greeting cards; he made little booklets showcasing his drawing talent.  He taught his children chess, and about what was under the hood of a car, and he coached their baseball and other sports teams. 

In his later years he said to his daughter, “I’m so lucky.  I had parents who loved me.”  His children are lucky to say the same. 

His example of love and kindness will live on.

Arthur Fonseca died in Spring Hill, Florida, on October 6, 2020, at 91 years of age.  He leaves behind his wife, Naomi (nee Roche); his children Paul Fonseca, Elizabeth Fonseca, and John Fonseca; John’s partner Colleen O’Brien; a large and loving extended family and beloved friends.  We remember his parents, Gumersindo Fonseca, Manuela Fonseca (nee Simon), and his siblings Edward Fonseca, James Fonseca, and Doris Powell.  May they all rest in peace. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Regis High School, his beloved alma mater, is appreciated.  Donations in his memory may be made online here: https://www.regis.org/give/donations.cfm?
type=af or by mail to:

REGIS HIGH SCHOOL
55 East 84th Street
New York, NY 10028

Masses will be said at his longtime parish St. Pius X, Plainview, NY, and his adopted parish, St. Theresa’s, Spring Hill, FL. 

When we are able to gather, a celebration of his life will be planned in the near future.

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