Joseph L. "Spidah" Fontaine

BELLINGHAM - Joseph L. “Spidah” Fontaine Jr., 51, of Bellingham, passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2025.

Born on June 30, 1974, in Brookline, he was the beloved son of Joseph and Mary (Durkin) Fontaine. Joe grew up in Brookline and graduated from Brookline High School.

A hardworking man, Joe was a lifelong roofer, dedicated to his trade for much of his career. He also spent seven years as a forklift operator at Independent Pipe in Canton, where he was a proud member of Union Local Seven, and worked as a bartender at the Chicken Bone in Framingham. But his real passion was music. Self-taught and incredibly talented, Joe could play guitar, bass, piano, and drums with ease. He was the lead singer in several of his rock ‘n’ roll bands and had been performing in clubs around Boston since he was 17 or 18 years old. Friends knew him as “Spidah,” especially when he took the stage, and he played in multiple bands throughout his life.

Joe was always the center of attention and the life of the party, with an infectious energy that drew people in. He loved being surrounded by friends and family, and seemed to know two or three people everywhere he went. He especially loved vacations with his wife and family, spending time on the water, up in China, Maine.

Joe leaves his beloved wife, Melissa (Stevens) Fontaine; his stepchildren, David and Mckenzie Gird; his children, Cody, Christina, Gina and Samantha; his cousins and their families, with whom he was very close; his dog Kayia and many many close friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joe‘s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in the Joyce’s Funeral Home 245 Main St., Waltham on Thursday, August 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a Life Celebration Service at 7 p.m. Burial will be private.