Death date: Aug 24, 2014
ANDOVER-Honorable John Edward Fenton, Jr. 83, a resident of Andover, and a former long time resident of Lawrence, died on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice in Haverhill. He was born in Lawrence on October 28, Read Obituary
I learned of Judge Fenton's death only a few days ago and I am deeply saddened by this news. I had tried several times to contact him this year, but I was unsuccessful. As his former secretary, he and I had many friendly conversations over lunch and in his office, whenever we both had a spare moment to share. I will miss him very much. My deepest condolences to his wife, Theresa and the rest of his family. He was a great man. MS. TINA LEWIS
Dearest Theresa, We just today found out the news. Our love and thoughts are with you. John was a big feature in our lives, because of his manifest integrity, his larger than life presence in which one wanted to meet the mark, and his kind, wise tolerance when one fell short. Your love for one another was astonishingly evident, and a beacon. One of the nicest, not particularly serious attributes we remember is his unquenchable sense of humor and fun. Also I never saw him get flapped. He had judgment, and balance for the hard moments. He had that great smile, the laugh, the fine, bear-like demeanor. What a man. We will all miss him, even those who were on the periphery but great admirers. Delia O'Connor and Tom O'Neil
A gem of a man. Had the fortune to be his student at Suffolk Law and later worked closely with him for the Mass Bar Assoc. while he served as the first Chief Justice of Admin and Management. Not a better human being nor judge could be found during my 25 yrs at the Bar. A deeply caring and devoutly religious man. Knew the vulnerabilities, vagaries and injustices of life and lifted in a highly positive, gentle way everyone he encountered. God rest his beautiful soul! Your Honor, please pray for us often for help with our daily struggles.
Judge Fenton was the best teacher I ever had. He made Evidence come alive at Suffolk. I am privileged to have served with him at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club and to call him friend. John Fentons don't come along everyday. He will be missed by many.
Eileen and I are saddened to have just learned of John's passing. Our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Theresa and family. I have great memories of John going back to the Howard Playstead aka Yellow Dump where I spent many happy days of my youth under the careful supervision then a young John Fenton, growing up on Saratoga Street and later as a student at Suffolk University Law School learning all about the rules of evidence from Professor Fenton. The Fentons wer always good friends of the Hewetts. John was exceptional and will be missed. Most respectfully, Pete and Eileen Hewett
Judge Fenton was truly an inspiration while I attended Suffolk 1958-1960. Throughout my legal career, and to this day, whenever I am confronted with a procedural issue I hear the voice of my then Professor John Fenton whispering in my ear. The rest then becomes crystal clear. I am only sorry that I never spoke with him directly after graduation on how great an impact his teaching had upon me throughout law school and my practice. One of a kind and one of the kindest people I will ever know. So sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to Theresa and family. I used to sit in on his class even though i had another professr for evidence class - his classes were that good. He had a passion for teaching which was obvious. I used to like joking around with him at law school after class. He will be sorely missed. Tom Reynolds
He was a giant. There was nothing but goodness in Judge Fenton's soul. Although I never had Judge Fenton as a teacher and never appeared in front of him as a lawyer, Judge Fenton adopted me as a mentee as he did countless others. He was the most respected member of the Massachusetts Bar. The sadness of his loss is reflective of the human condition. Even somebody as vibrant and vital as Judge Fenton must someday day leave this earth. He leaves it with a legacy that will endure for the ages.
August 28, 2014 Dear Theresa and family: My deepest and sincere sympathies, to all of us students he was King Arthur and Sir Lancelot of the round table. Perhaps his greatest trait is that he made you feel good about yourself and that you were special. I loved the man. He was not only my professor, but my friend. You may recall that more than 20 years ago I created the Resmini, Fenton, O?Brien Scholarship Fund. I have enclosed a section of a poem I wrote and posted on the Suffolk Bulletin Board where I poked fun at all the professors, but him. I did not realize that until I re-read it, he was the only one not satirized by me. He was, an always will be, the heart and soul of Suffolk. Below is the poem I referenced above: What about Fenton...his jovial manner Who came back from Hawaii a little bit tanner, Oh, that?s not fair...the rest he deserved... Ask his wife, Theresa, she?ll attest, be assured, The pied piper he?s like?the students all follow From all the great advocates...their traits he has borrowed, An answer he will give you?a promise he will mean His interest for students is rated supreme, Some actually wonder if he?s really that nice... ?Actions speak louder then words? will have to suffice He gave all of us more then we could ever return. He will remain in my daily prayers until we meet again. Sincerely, Ronald J. Resmini, Esq. Class of 1968
Judge Fenton was the most unselfish man that I have ever met. He used his education, skills and personality to touch the lives of thousands of people. Everyone wanted to know or to be around Judge Fenton. He had real curiosity about his fellow human beings. The world will never quite fathom all the good he did during his lifetime, but those of us who sampled his generosity and his compassion know all too well that Judge John Fenton had no equals when it came to giving of himself for the greater good. My prayers are with the Judge, Theresa, Patty and John and all the dedicated nieces and nephews of this great American.
