Fontana and friends cobble together sweet farewell

East Village shoemaker Angelo Fontana hosted his neighborhood goodbye party on Monday afternoon. Forced out by a rent increase, he vowed to return to the neighborhood where he worked for 41 years, even if it’s only for visits. “I’m not gonna stay in Staten Island,” he said. “Now with the nice weather coming, I will be across the street at the Greenmarket [in front of St. Mark’s Church] on Tuesdays,” he promised. Loyal customers stopped by the familiar E. 10th St. storefront to bid him adieu. Fontana insisted on supplying the cannolis from Luigi Alba in Bensonhurst. Neighbors brought beverages and other desserts. Above, from left, Barbara Bova, of E. 10th St.; Marilyn Appleberg, president of the Tenth and Stuyvesant Sts. Block Association; James Nass, of E. 10th St.; Villager reporter Bonnie Rosenstock; and Angelo Fontana.