fontana 4Bernard “Bunny” Fontana, a former University of Arizona anthropology professor, scholar an author and  expert on Mission San Xavier Del Bac He was a cultural anthropologist, field researcher, archaeologist, historian, writer and co-founder of Patronato San Xavier, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration of Mission San Xavier del Bac, has died at the age of 85.

April 02, 2016 2:00 pm

We send to his family the deepest condolences of our association, Segno April 10, 2016

fontana 3San Xavier volunteer and historian Bernard “Bunny” Fontana sits in mission on February 16, 2000. Fontana was working on a book with Tucson Citizen

photographer Edward McCain. Tucson Citizen file

 

fontana 1Bernard Fontana, looks at the graffiti in the choir loft at the San Xavier Del Bac Mission which dates back to the mid 1800’s. Conservators will arrive in December to begin the final restoration phase of the mission which will include cleaning these walls and getting rid of the graffiti. Photo taken November 13, 1996. Linda Seeger Salazar / Arizona Daily Star

 

fontanaSan Xavier volunteer and historian Bernard “Bunny” Fontana holds a copy of his book “Entrada” near the old mission on July 25, 1994.

Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen