Owen J. LaFountain

Owen J. LaFountain, 90 of Altona passed away Monday, February 8, 2021.  

He was born February 21, 1930 in Mooers Forks, son of Oliver A. LaFountain, Jr. and Emma M. (Gadway) LaFountain.  Owen graduated from Altona Central School in 1948. In September of 1948 Owen enlisted in the United States Airforce. In 1950 he was assigned to Itazuki Airforce Base in Fukuoko Japan. He became payroll officer and went to Soul Korea. In 1952 he was discharged from the Airforce and did odd jobs until 1954 when he was appointed rural letter carrier for the Altona Post Office. In 1953 he married Lucille Boulrice from Mooers. They had three children James Michael, Beverly Ann, and Peter John. In 1976 Owen was appointed Postmaster of the Altona Post Office.

Owen was always proud to serve his community, throughout his life he was a member of the Altona Fire Department which he and other citizens started, he served several years as fire commissioner, school board member, board member for Holy Angels Church, member of the local VFW and American Legion and 4th degree knight for the Knights of Columbus, member of the Altona Senior Citizens Committee to which he donated one acre of land for the Altona Senior Housing and a member of the Altona Citizen Committee when the Altona prison was created. In 1988 he retired from the United States Postal Service with 34 years of service. In 1990 he was elected to the Altona Town Board. In 1998 Owen was elected Town Supervisor in time for the ice storm. Throughout his working career he was also a dairy farmer. 

Owen is survived by his wife Lucille, his children James LaFountain (Cheryl), Beverly Canning (Gary) and Peter LaFountain (Carol), six grandchildren Katie Martin (Brandon), Jacquelyn Canning, Kristen Trombley (Bryan), Kyle Canning (Cherish), Tonya LaFountain and Marsha LaFountain and seven great grandchildren which he loved dearly Kaleb, Mykah, Lyla and Quinn Trombley and Giselle and Stella Canning and Liam Kolodziejczyk.

Owen is predeceased by his parents Oliver and Emma LaFountain and all his sisters and brothers Lena (Albert) LaValley, Noah (Muriel) LaFountain, Eva ( Raymond) Gilman, Earl (Dora) LaFountain, Lillian (Roy Peryea), Alfred (Doris) LaFountain, Irene (Herman) Puryea, Cecile (Richard) Rabideau, Roland (Beverly) LaFountain.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Angel’s Church or the Altona Fire Department.

Calling hours will be Sunday, February 14, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Ross Funeral Home in Mooers.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Angel’s Church in Altona with Bishop Douglas Lucia celebrating.  

Arrangements are in the care of the Ross Funeral Home 2586 US-11,  Mooers  To offer an online condolence, please visit www.ROSSFUNERALHOMES.com

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