Charles “Chuck” James Fonzone, 82, of South Whitehall, died Feb. 13, 2023, at Fellowship Manor, Whitehall. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Fifick) for 50 years.

Born in Whitehall, he was a son of the late Charles and Margaret (Tognoli) Fonzone.

He attended and was class president and football team captain at Allentown Central Catholic High School. He played freshman football and baseball, pledged Sigma Nu and graduated in 1962 from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in English. He enrolled at Duquesne Law School in 1969, where he was a managing editor of the law review.

He was an artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned a Purple Heart for wounds received while in combat in Vietnam.

He was a teacher at Easton Junior High School. He sold televisions and radios for Almart, Bethlehem, on the side. He was then a public defender at Walker, Thomas, Karess, Lipson and Zieger. He opened Fonzone and Ashley Law firm. He retired in 2018 as a partner at Gross McGinley LLP. He was a solicitor to several Lehigh Valley municipalities and the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

He was a past Commander of the Honorary First Defenders in 1990.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Christopher and wife Jill and Stephen and wife Brook; four grandchildren, Charlotte, Olivia, Myles and Juliet; a sister, Joan Geiger; and a brother-in-law, Adam James.

He was predeceased by a sister, Margaret James; and a brother-in-law, Vincent Geiger.

Contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave., Whitehall, 18052; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 250, Philadelphia, 19106, or by visiting act.alz.org.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.