From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Albert John Fontaine, 85, Sebastian
April 20, 1940 – July 24, 2025
Albert John Fontaine, 85, was born on April 20,1940 in Central Falls, Rhode Island to the late Romeo and Alice Fontaine. He passed away at home in Sebastian, Florida on July 24, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Choquet Fontaine and his brother Raymond (Nancy). He is survived by his sister Irene (Bill) and his two children David (Ann-Marie) and Diane (Nancy Collins). He is also survived by 3 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Anyone wishing to send messages or share stories are invited to visit Al’s memorial page at www.seawindsfh.com.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Albert John Fontaine, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
James E. Wellman, 84, Sebastian
September 27, 1941 – July 25, 2025
On July 25th, James E. Wellman (1941-2025) of Sebastian passed in peace and with dignity in his home, having lived with cancer for several years. Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, Jim grew up in the Midwest and Virginia and travelled the world after enlisting in the Army in 1960. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 1972 and his master’s from Webster University in 1979. A proud Vietnam Veteran, he completed Infantry Officer Candidate School in 1964, served in the RVN in 1967-68, and retired with the rank of Major in 1980. In his second career, Jim and his wife Connie settled in the Southeast and he held senior executive roles with several tech companies prior to his retirement in 2000. Jim gave back to his community, volunteering with Junior Achievement and at the local VA Clinic, and he was proud to carry the torch for the 1996 Summer Olympics through his corner of Sebastian. Jim was an avid fisherman and golfer, a great bowler, and an absolute pool shark. He rode a Harley and enjoyed travel – but, above all, he loved dogs. Whether he was Husband, Brother, Dad, Granddad or Friend – everyone knows that Jim Wellman told the best stories, gave great advice, loved quietly but deeply, enjoyed a good single malt, and hands-down made the best French toast on the planet.
Brother to three, father of five, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of four, Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Connie S. Wellman. Also missing him deeply are sisters and brother-in-law Karen and Bud Banker, Barbara Bartee, and Glenna Janette Wellman; daughters and sons-in-law Amy Wellman and Michael Stone, Anne and Eric Jones, Diana Williams, Julie Poston, and Darlene and Michael Baker; grandchildren Tyler and Alexis Williams, Justin and Lorin Jones, Brandon Baker, Ashley and Ryan Kahl, Emily Jones, Paul Poston and, of course, his dogs Sophie and Daisy.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made by donating to the H.A.L.O. No-Kill Rescue of Florida and selecting “dedicate this gift” https://halorescuefl.org/.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Robert “Bobby” Charles Richter IV, 33
May 30, 1992 – July 27, 2025
Robert “Bobby” Charles Richter IV was born May 30, 1992 and passed away in an accidental drowning on Sunday July 27th.
He left the world the way he lived his life…on the water.
Growing up on Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine, Bobby started fishing at age three with his Snoopy fishing pole. He soon moved on to canoes and small boats ~ then to his prized Polar center console boat.
He graduated high school in three years because sitting in a classroom was not for him. He immediately went to work repairing cars and boats at Belgrade repair shops. He also did logging with close friends. In addition did lawn care with a close friend and helped his Mom & Dad at the family’s Belgrade Lakes Four Season Cottages.
But his passion was always the outdoors whether he was open water fishing, ice fishing or hunting in Maine, CT, RI or Mass. He started selling worms and tackle to the guests at the cottages when he was six.
Bobby shot a Maine moose when he was 11 and many deer, partridges and turkeys followed. He was one of the youngest people in the state to become a Registered Maine Guide at the young age of 18. Because he knew instinctively where the fish were, he soon became sought after by vacationers around the lake in search of Bass and Northern Pike. He could find them!
In the fall, he and his father, went on an annual deer hunt at the cabin in the Berkshires with the hunting crew. In the Summer, he honed his salt water fishing and clamming skills with his RI friends, who became his extended family. “Fishcation” was a much-anticipated event with buddies in Matunuck and Snug Harbor.
Bobby moved to the south east coast of Florida in 2019 where he earned his Captain’s license and his career was born.
He fished the Indian River, Sebastian Inlet as well as offshore and the Bahamas. He started “Polar Express Charters,” taking anglers out for a great catch. He also fished and maintained the “Chasseur” with one of his closest friend and mentors from Vero. Bobby loved fishing in the Bahamas and in the early Spring he would captain the 45-foot “Riser” to the Bahamas & enjoyed time spent there with its owner, a dear friend.
He never stopped doing boat work, marine electronics, boat sales or selling tackle for StrikeZone Fishing where the crew and owner were like family. He had many close friends in the area who were also family to him.
Bobby was a very likable, smart, hardworking young man whose accomplishments and friendships left an indelible mark. Always smiling, always barefoot and brightening every space he entered.
He often said he wasn’t going to get married and have kids. He just wanted to fish, make a good living and spend time with his friends & family. He accomplished all of that and more.
He leaves behind his best friend, his father Robert “Bob” Charles Richter III (who he called every day) and his partner Betsy Ceriello. His mother, Laura Engel Richter, his sister Avery M. French and her husband Joseph D. French, his nephew Horace G. French & their fluffy dog Pearl, his grandmother, Annie M Richter and his grandfather Peter Engel. In addition, he leaves many cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends up and down the eastern seaboard.
He was predeceased by his grandfather Robert C. Richter II, his “Mema,” Patricia Engel, his uncle, Thomas Engel and Lily.
We will remember Bobby on August 2, 11 a.m. at Sebastian United Methodist Church, 1029 Main Street Sebastian, FL and a celebration of his life at Sebastian Saltwater Marina to follow, 1732 Indian River Drive, Sebastian, FL.
A service in CT will follow on August 23, 2:00 PM at the Westchester Congregational Church, 98 Cemetery Rd, Colchester, CT 06415, followed by a reception in his PaPa’s yard on Markham Road in East Hampton, CT.
Please come as Bobby would off the boat: sunglasses, t-shirt & flip flops, no ties necessary.
To commemorate Bobby, donations may be made to Junior Marine Guides https://juniormaineguides.org/donations/
A Reef will be donated in his name through the Indian River County Artificial Reef Program, details TBD for donations. https://indianriver.gov/services/public_works/coastal_engineering/artificial_reef_program.php
Online condolences may be shared at www.seawindfh.com
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Robert “Bobby” Charles Richter IV, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joseph Frank Alfarone, Jr., 85, Sebastian
April 24, 1940 – July 28, 2025
Joseph Frank Alfarone, Jr went to heaven on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Joseph was born in Brooklyn, NY to the late Giuseppe and Angelina on April 24, 1940. He graduated Thomas A. Edison High School in Jamaica, New York. On September 26, 1964 he married Madeline Ann Bilka. They were happily married for 61 years.
He is survived by his wife, Madeline; two daughters, Christine Alfarone-Tessari of Franklin Square, NY; Diane Alfarone-Laverty of Orlando, Florida; and a grandson, Joseph Matthew Tessari of Franklin Square, NY.
He was a bricklayer by trade and a very hard-working, wonderful spouse, father, and grandfather. He spent the last 30 years as a snowbird in Sebastian, Florida after his retirement.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Joseph’s memorial page @ www.seawindsfh.com.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Donald Roland Hyer, 90, Sebastian
February 25, 1935 – July 29, 2025
Donald Roland Hyer, 90, of Sebastian, peacefully entered Heaven on Tuesday, July 29th with his wife Joann and daughter Ruth at his side.
He was born to the late E. Donald and Elsie Hyer on February 25, 1935, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Don graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1952 and received Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University School of Agriculture in 1956. He attended Dubuque Theological Seminary graduating 1960 with a Master of Divinity. He attended San Francisco Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry in 1980.
Don served in ROTC and received the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Don was a pastor for many years and served churches in Illinois, Spicer Minnesota, Arkport New York, Fairgrove Michigan, and Butler Pennsylvania. He was the founding pastor of CrossWay Church in Reese Michigan. He completed the State of New York Fire School in 1968 and served on the volunteer fire company in Fairgrove, Michigan. He taught at Valley Bible Institute in Saginaw, Michigan and was the dean of Ocean School of Ministry in Lakewood, New Jersey.
In recent retirement years, Don was a member of Riverside Assembly of God Church in Sebastian, FL. He loved theological conversations, was a history buff, and loved trains of all sizes.
Don is survived by his wife of 68 years Joann (Pettit) Hyer of Sebastian, Florida. And by his daughters Kristin Hyer of Saginaw, Michigan and Ruth Hendrickson (Mark) of Stockton, New Jersey. He is also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A service will be held on Friday, August 8th at 3:00pm at Riverside Assembly of God Church, 11205 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL 32958 with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Touched by Jesus Ministry, Inc. PO Box 55, Stockton, NJ 08559.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Don’s memorial page www.seawindsfh.com.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Donald Roland Hyer, please click here to visit our sympathy store.