Note: The early lineage of the Fonde family is uncertain (as is the Fonda family). Fonde family records (see excerpt below) indicate that the American progenitor, Andrew Fonde (1765-1833), immigrated from France, settling in Philadelphia in the 1790’s. The family apparently fled from Italy due to political unrest, possibly during the incursion of Napoleon into Northern Italy. This is remarkably similar to the account from the American Fonda family, who reportedly left Italy for Holland in the 1500’s due to political unrest, then Jellis Douw Fonda (1614-1659) migrated to Upstate New York in the 1650’s. A possible link between the two branches could exist if Andrew Fonde is the son of Pieter Douw Fonda (1739-1779) of Marblehead, MA. This may be a stretch at this point, but it bears further investigation. Or perhaps there is a common link further up the line in Italy. Either way, the Fonde branch has been included in the American Fonda genealogy in order to track and differentiate the many common name occurences. Further insights from Fonde family researchers or others is welcome.
 Hank Fonde halfback at Univ. of Michigan (1944-1948) (Photo credit: Joel Thurtell) Published: Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Former University of Michigan football player and coach Henry Fonde, who also coached the Ann Arbor High School football team for 10 years, died at the age of 85 early Sunday morning of complications brought on by Alzheimer’s disease. A visitation for Fonde will be held on Thursday from 4-9 p.m. at the Vermeulen Funeral Home, located at 46401 W Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth, followed by a funeral service at First Presbyterian Church in Northville at 11 a.m. Friday.
A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Fonde came to the University of Michigan in 1944 as part of the Navy’s V-12 program and studied engineering while contributing to the strong Wolverines football teams of the mid-to-late ’40s. Known to many as Hank, Fonde’s highlights as a player included scoring the lone touchdown in Michigan’s 7-3 victory over Ohio State in 1945 and tossing a 45-yard touchdown pass in the 49-0 win over Southern California in the 1948 Rose Bowl.
Fonde compiled a 69-6-4 record (with four of his losses coming in his final season) coaching the Pioneers from 1949-1958, after which he joined Bump Elliott’s staff at Michigan.
 Hank Fonde Team Photo “It still amazes me how many people know the name ‘Fonde’ and it’s because of him,” Fonde’s son, Chuck said. “He made such a mark in this community, both through Ann Arbor High School and the University of Michigan. A lot of people knew him, a lot of people loved him.” Fonde remained on the staff at Michigan through the 1968 season and became an academic advisor for the football team when Bo Schembechler replaced Elliott in 1969.
“I just remember him being one of the nicest gentleman I’ve ever met in my life,” said longtime Michigan assistant Jerry Hanlon, who arrived on campus with Bo in 1969. “He was that kind of a person. He had everybody’s best interest at heart. The players loved him, and when he decided to leave Michigan as academic advisor, I thought it was a big loss.”
Seth Gordon can be reached at sgordon@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6108.
 Hank Fonde (Photo credit: Joel Thurtell) Henry Fonde’s record in the Fonda family tree is here. He has a Wikipedia entry here.
The following obituary was excerpted from the Ann Arbor News on MLive.com on 5/5/2009:
“Hank Fonde passed away May 3rd 2009 at the age of 85 years. He was a graduate of U of M School of Engineering and Masters in Education. Head football coach at Ann Arbor High School & Assistant football coach at U of M. Owner and operator of the Stretch & Sew Fabric Store in Farmington Hills for many years. He is survived by his children: our class of ’67 member, Karen (Joel Thurtell) Fonde, Chuck (Linda) Fonde, Mark (Stacey) Fonde, Julia (Max) Davis and Anne (Bill) Potter, his grandchidren: Adam, Abe, Ben, Megan, Rachel, Hayley, Beck, Chelsea, Danielle, Regin and William. He was predeceased by his wife Edith (nee Jordan) and grandchild Aaron. Visitation was Thursday May 7th at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 W Ann Arbor Road (btwn Sheldon & Beck) Plymouth. The Funeral was Friday May 8th at First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Main, Northville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association . To leave a message of condolence, log on to www.vermeulenfuneralhome.com”
Another good story about Hank Fonde, written by his son-in-law, Joel Thurtell – “I beat Ohio State!”
Andrew Fonde’s record in the Fonda family tree is here. A cemetery memorial for him is here.
His details: 16-Feb-1798 – Supreme Court of Philadelphia, Oath of Allegiance; 1800 US Federal Census, Southwark, Philadelphia, PA (Andw Funday, household of 6); 1810 US Federal Census, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA (Andrew Fundy, o. Porter, household of 11); 1820 & 1830 US Federal Census, New Orleans, New Orleans Parish, LA; 1822 New Orleans, LA City Directory (Rev. Andre Fonde, Accountant, at 116 St. Philip cor. Perdido); d. New Orleans, LA (Cholera); bur. Girod St. Cemetery, New Orleans, LA
Excerpt from “Ancestors of Charles Henry Fonde” website
“It is believed by the family that Andre Fonde came to America from France, but that the family originally came from the Lombardy area of Italy, and that Fonde was originally spelled Fondi. There is a town in Italy called Fondi, located on the west coast about halfway between Rome and Naples. David Fonde quotes the Chambers Encyclopedia, published in England, as describing Fondi this way: “A small town in Italy on the Appian Way between Rome and Naples, located near a pestiferous swamp and noted during the Middle Ages for its brigands and horse thieves.” The family story is that during some political disturbance it became necessary for an early Fondi to escape from his own country if he could. This may have been when Napoleon overcame Venice and gave Northern Italy into Austrian (German) control. There is a poem written in Italian among the Fonde papers which lends some credence to this theory.”
“According to a letter written by his great-granddaughter Elizabeth Fonde, Andre relocated in France, where he served as a scrivener, writing documents beautifully in more than one language. Later (between 1790 and 1794) he removed to America, probably to Philiadelphia, where records of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania document that he either made a Declaration of Intention (to become a citizen) or an Oath of Allegiance on February 16, 1798. (Philadelphia Naturalization Records, edited by Wm. Filby, Gale Research Co., Detroit, MI, 1982, page 197). His nationality is given as French.”
“We have copies of letters that Andre Fonde wrote, one from New Orleans to his wife in Philadelphia, and another (1818) from Philadelphia to his son, John P. Fonde, who had recently moved to Washington, D.C. It is believed that Andre and Sarah Fonde moved to New Orleans before 1830 and that they are buried there. Although their marriage in 1794 and the baptisms and burials of several Fonde/Fondy children are recorded at Christ Church (Episcopal), Philadelphia, not all their known children are in these records. (Henry and John Philip are not recorded, nor is the birth of two Fondy children who were buried at Christ Church — Calipso in 1803 and Andrew in 1801). I have made some estimates about the birth order of these children and their dates of birth.”
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\\ tags: Achievements, Fonde, Michigan, Sports
Concert among events at fair
September 5, 2010 By AMANDA WHISTLE, The Leader-Herald
 Charlie Daniels plays his fiddle during the song “Devil Went Down to Georgia” during his concert at the Fonda Fair on Saturday. FONDA, NY – With the stroke of a bow on a fiddle, a crowd in the sold-out arena at the 169th Fonda Fair knew what Charlie Daniels was going to play next. The unmistakable notes followed by the unforgettable lyrics, “The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal,” and with that the crowd rushed the stage for the classic they’d been waiting for all night. Seating for 2,000 people was set up in the Arena between chairs and bleachers. The show sold out shortly after 7:30 p.m. as people took their seats in anticipation of one the fair’s most well-known bookings to date. Tickets were sold in advance at Price Chopper and at the door.
As Daniels walked to the stage dressed in blue jeans, boots and cowboy hat, fans lined up along the ropes raising their cameras and cell phones hoping to get a nod and a photo from the legendary fiddler. Sue Yamrozy of Scotia got to the show early enough to snag a seat in the front row for her first time to see the Charlie Daniels Band live. This year also marks the first year Yamrozy has attended the Fonda Fair. “It was something to do on a Saturday night,” she said, adding that the $20 charge to see an American legend was a steal.
For 9-year-old John Cressy of Glen, who plays the fiddle, seeing Charlie Daniels was the highlight of the fair. John, donning his cowboy hat and a red handkerchief around his neck, is a fair regular with his family, who are members of 4-H and compete in many of the livestock competitions and horse shows. “This is awesome,” said his mother, Margie Cressy. “It’s Charlie Daniels right here in Fonda.”
Daniels played a variety of classic favorites, including “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” Drummer Pat McDonald also stole the show for about 10 minutes with a solo. “Here’s a small gesture of thank you,” Daniels said as he played “In America” for the those in the U.S. Armed Forces after saying the pledge of allegiance. This year’s Fonda Fair Junior Princess, Tiffany Sargalis, looked forward to meeting Daniels all week, her mother, Wendy Sargalis, said.
All of the winners in the pageant are invited to meet the fair’s Saturday night performers each year. Wendy said Tiffany’s sister, Kimberly, met Trent Tomlinson when she won Junior Princess in 2005 and Tiffany remembered the excitement. Kelly Knoop of Fort Plain and her friend, Nicole Casolari, both 23, also had passes to meet Daniels and said he seemed like he was just excited to meet them as they were to meet him.
“He was very polite. It was wonderful,” said Casolari, of Rochester. “I let him know I think I’ve been listening to his music my whole life and he said ‘I think I’ve been playing music since before you were born.'” Knoop said though past acts at the fair have been great, the Charlie Daniels Band is legendary. “It’s a huge deal for us,” she said. “Others have come here, but he’s a legend.”
Daniels said before the show that meeting fans is something he looks forward to at each show. “Every night before we play we have a meet and great,” Daniels said. “I always enjoy that.” As for Daniels’ favorite song to perform, he said he loves them all.
Saturday was “Country Folks Day” and also featured open gymkhana, 4-H livestock shows, the 4-H aerospace exhibition and rocket shoot and a demolition derby. The Fonda Fair continues today with fireworks tonight at 10 p.m. The last day is Monday with a parade scheduled at noon.
Amanda Whistle covers Montgomery County news. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com
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\\ tags: Entertainment, News, Village of Fonda
WNYT-TV, Albany, NY – 07/20/2010 – Subrina Dhammi
 170-yr-old Church in Fonda to be Demolished Fonda, NY – For the first time in about 170 years, there will no longer be a place of worship at 42 W. Main Street in Fonda. In 1842, a group of methodists built a small wooden church at that address. It was so popular, they had to expand a year later. “Then on April 12th, 1912 there was a fire that started in the drug store next door,” said Fultonville Village Historian, Ryan Weitz. He’s also the unofficial Historian for the village of Fonda. Weitz is putting together a piece on the history of the old church. At 18 years old, he’s the youngest Historian in New York State. He was appointed to the position when he was 15 years old.
After the fire, Weitz says the church was built again, this time it was brick. The building was vacant from 1967 to about 1986, when the Village Bible Church bought it. Then in 2005, the House of Zion moved in. Today, the stained glass windows on the historic structure are gone. Tarps flap in the wind, covering the openings. The doors are locked. And the sign displayed, letting everyone know what kind of church this is, is gone.
On Monday, the entire building is expected to come down. “It’s a shame to see an old building like this be torn down for the expansion of a gas station and small convenience store,” said Weitz. The Stewart’s store two doors down at 38 W. Main street is often congested. The parking lot is small and gas pumps cramped. Stewart’s approached the land owners of 40 W. Main Street, and 42 W. Main Street, which is where the church is located. Both agreed to sell the land.
The most recent congregation at the old church, was Messianic Christianity, lead by Pastors Richard and Denise Allen. For the past five years, they’ve rented the building. “It’s such a beautiful building, and it still had some life left in it,” said Pastor Denise Allen. Messianic Christianity combines the teachings of both Christianity and Judaism. “We had 3 pastors ordained as Messianic Rabbis in that building, and that’s historic,” said Pastor Allen. She will continue to hold services at a church she built on her property at 580 Dillenbeck Road in Palatine Bridge. The small white building has a blue border, and the letters are decorated with glitter. Flowers surround the entrance. No more than 30 people can fit inside the church at one time. “Some people say gee, we never met anyone like you, I say thank God, it’s ok to be different.”
If you want to find out more about Pastor Denise Allen’s church, email her at Deniseallen01@aol.com
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\\ tags: Churches, News, Village of Fonda
September 2011 Interview in Melroze Magazine.
slashfilm.com – June 1, 2010 – Hope Davis (About Schmidt), James Rebhorn (Independence Day, The Game) and Olga Fonda (Love Hurts) has been cast in Shawn Levy’s futuristic robot boxing movie Real Steel. No word on what roles they will play.
tvrage.com – Olga Fonda was born Olga Tchakova on October 1, 1982. She is 28 years old. She was married under the name Olga Fundamynsky until 2008. Born and raised in Moscow, Olga came to the United States at 14 years of age. She has been seen in several small uncredited upcoming roles in films including Little Fockers, Crazy Stupid Love, and Reel Steal.
Olga Tchakova has made it to Hollywood and adopted one of its famous last names: Fonda.
 Olga Tchakova has made it to Hollywood and adopted one of its famous last names: Fonda. Some people might remember her as a 14-year-old exchange student at Winthrop High School in 1996-1997 who came from Uhtka, just above the Arctic Circle in Russia. She later returned to attend the University of Maine at Augusta. Now she’s in a much warmer place and making her way as an actress and model as Olga Fonda. “Living in Los Angeles has given me an opportunity to pursue my dreams and has been able to open the doors to unlimited possibilities,” she said recently via e-mail.
Fonda’s introduction to America began with the Auclair family in East Winthrop. “Well, first of all, I was able to learn English,” she said. “I was also introduced to the beauty of the American culture through my lovely host family, my teachers and all of my friends in Maine. They believed in me and encouraged me to always follow my dreams.”
Fonda now speaks English with a hint of a Russian accent. “Her English is really great,” said Debora Hillier (formerly Auclair), who was her host mother. “From the third month she was a chatterbox; she has such a wonderful command of languages.” Several members of her former host family joined her recently in Boston for the East Coast premier of the movie “Love Hurts,” where she appears as Valeriya. “Olga plays a Russian ballerina love-interest of the young star,” said Hillier said. “She very convincingly breaks his heart as she did to a few of the Winthrop boys.”
“Love Hurts” premiered at the Strasbourg International Film Festival, the Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival in California, the 15th Annual Boston Film Festival, La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles, and the Savannah Film Festival. Fonda said it will be screened at the Orlando Film Festival and the Big Apple Film Festival and has a theatrical opening in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. More info about “Love Hurts” is at www.lovehurts-movie.com .
Hillier, her husband Jim Hillier, and her son, Paul Auclair, attended the Boston Film Festival where the movie won Barra Grant the best director award and took the best comedy award at the Boston Film Festival. “Lovely Olga wanted to be a model,” Hillier said. “It was her aspiration and she never lost sight of that goal.”
At the UMA admissions department, Kristen Duplessis recalled Fonda as a bubbly, outgoing work/study student. “She was very successful doing student tours,” Duplessis said. “She’s such a sweetheart.” At UMA, Fonda majored in financial management. “I want to thank everyone at Winthrop and at UMA for letting me become a part of the exchange program and welcoming me into their schools, community, lives and hearts,” Fonda said. “It was an unforgettable experience and I will cherish the memories and friendships I have made in my heart forever.” When she’s back East, Fonda tries to visit her friends in Winthrop and Augusta. Hillier is hoping she can make it to Maine for a visit this year, and Fonda, too, said she hopes to be back soon.
Fonda still models for television and print commercials. She stands about 5-foot-8, and spent time modeling in Japan, Italy and the United States. She has appeared in “Nip/Tuck,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Melrose Place,” “Entourage,” and in many television commercials and advertising campaigns, including print ads in “Vogue,” “Bazaar,” and “Cosmopolitan.” “I am looking forward to continue working with creative and dedicated directors and actors,” Fonda said. “There is so much that I want to do, people to meet, places to visit. I want to do it all! As an actress, I would love to take the audience through the journey of a story in the most believable way.”
links: Olga Fonda on IMDB, Facebook, Wikipedia
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\\ tags: Entertainment, Hollywood, West Coast
A moment in history…
“The wreck occurred on July 18, 1947 at Fonda, NY. My grandfather was the engineer operating engine number 2775, an L2a Mohawk I believe. He was the only one injured. It tied up all four tracks of the mainline for quite some time. He said the tower man switched his train into the back end of a work train sitting on a siding. He also said they never saw the tower man again after the wreck.” Don Relyea, May 2010
Also shown at Railroads of Madison County
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