Fontana was born and raised in the Beechview section of Pittsburgh, and graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County in 1971 with an Associate’s Degree in Business.[4] A former truck driver and member of Teamsters Locals 249 and 211, he went into real estate and worked for Howard Hanna Real Estate Services as a sales manager and associate broker.[4] He is married to Francine Fontana and has three children.[5]
Political career
Fontana entered politics as a Democratic committee member in Pittsburgh's 19th Ward, and later rose to vice chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.[5] In 1999, Fontana was elected as an original member of Allegheny County Council (representing District 12) after it was formed under the new home-rule charter.[4][6] He served as the council's vice president from January 2004 to March 2005.[7]