MANSFIELD: George Fonseca was born with wings. From an early age his interest in flight became his passion: a mile of highway would take him just one mile, but a mile of runway could take him anywhere. He filled his world with aviation books and art, airplane models and one very special pilot: Pamela Lynn Ihrig Fonseca.
George and his beloved mate Pam passed away Monday, May 18, 2015. He was 75.
Born February 17, 1940 in Santa Catarina, Brazil to Washington and Judith (Moreira) Fonseca, George came to this country and was graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
He began his career as an electrical engineer with Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh, PA and later moving to Siemens-Allis before becoming an entrepreneur in 1988 operating a franchise location of Snelling employment services in Mansfield. In 2006 he opened Staffing Partners, an employment services firm with three locations in North Central Ohio.
A member of the Civil Air Patrol, he met another member, Pam Ihrig, with whom he could share his passion for flying. Together they were members of Experimental Aircraft Association, Commemorative Air Force, and American Staffing Association. He was also a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Ashland Lake Gun Club and the NRA.
George will be remembered for his devotion to his family and his generosity to people in need and to the community in general.
He is survived by his children Michael & Martha Fonseca of Mechanicsville, VA and Susan & Michael Kelly of Woodstock, MD; grandsons Jason and Eric Kelly, and Ryan Mitchell; brothers Luis and Sylvio Fonseca, both in Brazil; and a large circle of friends in the aviation community.
His family will receive friends Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in George’s memory are encouraged to Saltville, Virginia Rescue Squad; Black Diamond Search and Rescue; or Altrusa of Mansfield.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Fonseca family. To send them a message of sympathy and support, or watch a tribute video to George and Pam, visit: SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
