Phillip A. Fenton

Phillip A Fenton passed away on October 12, 2020, after a relaxing weekend of camping with his family and friends. Phil was born in Glens Falls, NY on August 22, 1950, the son of the late James H. Fenton Sr. and Alida Patricia Anne (von Dwingelo) Fenton. He lived in various places growing up, spending much of his youth in Rowayton, CT. During his teens, he worked at Old McDonald’s Farm where he made some of his closest and most enduring friendships. Phil enlisted in the Marines in 1967 and served in the Vietnam War as a Heavy Equipment Operator receiving an Army Commendation Medal for his fast action in putting out a fire. He was honorably discharged in 1970. After his military service, Phil moved to Norwalk, CT. It was during this time that he met his future bride Toni George while working at Workman’s Septic Company. They married in 1975 and shortly after moved to Danbury, CT where they would they raise their sons and live for the next 40 years. During this time, Phil got into the paving business and would own his own paving and excavating company as well as work for others. For several years, Phil did paving work summers and worked as a seasonal heating oil delivery driver winters, before eventually taking a year round position as a heating oil delivery driver for Harris and Gans which eventually became Petro in Norwalk, CT. He retired from this job in 2015.

Phil was a fun loving person who loved to poke fun at his closest friends. He never met a problem he couldn’t solve and was well known by friends and family for being able to just about fix anything. He enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, camping and spending time with his family, especially in New Hampshire where in 1993 he constructed a log cabin with the help of friends and family. So many happy memories were made at this weekend spot in Stoddard, NH. Phil and Toni loved Stoddard, so no one was surprised when the two retired to their dream home there in 2016. Phil delighted in his retirement, going out to lunch almost daily with his beloved wife Toni. They were well known at local restaurants by servers as a friendly and jovial couple. Unable to sit still in his retirement, Phil was constantly helping neighbors with projects. His family joked that he was the “mayor” of the Hidden Lake Community where they lived. Phil was the classic jack-of-all-trades, he knew a little bit about everything and was quick to offer his opinion, always in the spirit of helping others. Throughout his life, he instilled a strong work ethic in his sons Glenn and Craig. Teaching them countless skills and life lessons. Phil could have a gruff disposition at times but that melted away as each of his four granddaughters were born. To them he was “Pappy”. Always able to put a smile on their faces with a funny song, a treat or a hug. 

Phil Fenton will be dearly missed by his loving wife Toni (George) Fenton, brother Peter Fenton and wife Marybeth, son Glenn and wife Mariah, son Craig and wife Erica and adoring granddaughters; Brenna, Shealyn, Alanna and Kylee; as well as his other close family members and countless friends. Phil was predeceased by his brother James “Topper” Fenton, sister Martha Giordano and nephew Brian Simon.   

His family will host an open house to honor his life on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 12 pm to 4 pm at Appleseed Restaurant at 63 High St, Bradford, NH. Friends and family are welcome to attend and are asked to follow regular COVID-19 precautions. Additionally, the family recognizes that this is a difficult time to travel and understands that some people may be unable to attend. For this reason, there will be an additional celebration of life to honor Phil at a future date in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brian Simon Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Danbury High School 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811. Or extend a random act of kindness as Phil often did.

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