John McCarty LaFontana, 72, of Manchester, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2008, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. He was the beloved husband of nearly forty years to Virginia (Ranne) LaFontana; father and grandfather of two cherished children and their families: his daughter, Kathryn LaFontana and her husband William Boroson of Orange, CT; and his son, John David LaFontana and his wife Kimberly, and treasured granddaughters, Abby and Katie, all of Melrose MA. John is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, William and Ellen LaFontana of Schenectady, NY; by his sister-in-law Jean Clark and her husband Robert of Wethersfield; and by several nieces and nephews. Born in Great Barrington, MA, on October 24, 1935, son of John O. and Helen (McCarty) LaFontana, John earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts and a Master's in education from Westfield (MA) State College. He also received a sixth-year certificate in educational administration from Southern Connecticut State University. For several years, he served as teacher and football coach at East Catholic High School in Manchester, where he was recently inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. In his later career, John was teacher and vice-principal of East Hampton (CT) High School. John was a gentle and kind man who willingly used his many talents to serve others. He was a gourmet cook, a skilled woodworker, and an avid fan of crossword puzzles. John's family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 16th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 17th at 9:15 am from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. James Church in Manchester, followed by interment in East Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial donations in John's memory may be made to East Catholic High School 115 New State Road Manchester, CT 06042. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.