Vegas resort entrepreneur Andrew Fonfa dies

Andrew Fonfa, a well-known Las Vegas real-estate entrepreneur, died of a heart attack Wednesday afternoon while visiting Southern California with his wife, Jodi. He was 68.

Fonfa’s sister-in-law, Renee Hale-Drase, confirmed Thursday afternoon that Fonfa had died after falling ill Wednesday in Pismo Beach, Calif. Fonfa was known to have had heart issues and diabetes. Hale said Fonfa suffered a heart attack Wednesday afternoon, and about two hours later, Jodi Fonfa sent word to the family that he had passed.

Fonfa had reportedly been careful not to leave his home since March 8, being especially cautious during the COVID shutdown.

Jodi Fonfa on Thursday still was with the couple’s children, Haley (23) and Evan (26), in Southern California. In a text Thursday afternoon she said, “Andrew has been the love of my life since I was 22 years old. He was the most devoted and loving husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. Andy was a renaissance man, a world of knowledge that is endless and will live on forever.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said in a statement: “With the passing of Andy Fonfa, a world of innovation and excitement in Las Vegas is sadly gone. Behind the risk-taker was a wonderful guy, a proud dad, loving husband and very loyal friend. Challenging business ventures were always at the forefront for him, and Las Vegas has been the beneficiary. To Jodi, Haley, Evan and the family, our sincerest condolences.”

Andrew Fonfa owned the Allure high-rise and was a developer in the Lucky Dragon hotel-casino, both just off the Strip on Sahara Avenue. Fonfa and partner Bill Weidner opened the property, in the shadow of Allure, in November 2016.

The 203-room hotel, which was the first ground-up resort to open in Las Vegas since the Great Recession, catered to an Asian market and was conceived as the boutique hotel for Allure investors and residents. The property struggled almost from the outset, closing its casinos and restaurants in January 2018.

After filing for bankruptcy that February, the hotel tower shut down the following October. Within weeks, lenders foreclosed on the property. Don Ahern of Ahern Rentals construction-equipment firm then purchased property, which now is the site of the Ahern Hotel.

About a decade ago, Fonfa said he was considering a boutique gay resort, to be called The Q. He instead switched off for a Macau-style casino that became Lucky Dragon. He said he chose 203 rooms instead of the original plan for 204 because the number 4 is bad luck in Chinese culture.

Fonfa was acutely aware of the Chinese embrace of gambling. “In most cultures, gambling is seen as not good or evil,” Fonfa said in December 2016. “But for the Chinese, it’s entertainment, and every day could be your lucky day.”

The Fonfa family has withstood several challenges over the past two years. Their son, Brett Isaac Fonfa, died in March 2018 at age 26.

Jodi Fonfa has most recently been active in the community as the director of the Miss Nevada Organization for three years ending in 2017.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His PodKats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.