Obituary: John Joseph Fenton, 88, Longtime Resident Of Ridgefield

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

RIDGEFIELD, CT — John Joseph Fenton, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Dec. 25, 2023, surrounded by family. John was the second of three children, born in Brooklyn, NY on Sep. 21, 1935, to parents Timothy and Molly (née Mary Regan) Fenton, formerly of County Cork, Ireland.

John graduated from St. John’s Prep in Brooklyn and St. John’s University in Queens, and served in the Army Reserve. He had a long career as an advertising executive, first at DMB&B, and later at Y&R, managing global lines of business from Brussels and Hong Kong as well as Madison Avenue.

He also spent countless hours as a dedicated volunteer, in particular for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, supporting research towards a cure for the disease that had taken two of his five children. He was a driving force in the creation of the Tony Fenton Bike Tour, named in memory of his youngest son, which grew to become one of Connecticut’s largest fundraisers for CF. After his retirement, he served as a guardian ad litem for the CT Department of Children and Families advocating tirelessly for children, finding voice and solutions for their needs. He was counted on as a great listener and for his sound advice no matter the situation, known for his insight and understated sense of humor. A thoughtful and engaged member of his community, he was proud of his Irish heritage and his Brooklyn roots and deeply committed in his Catholic faith.

John is survived by his beloved wife Constance Olsen Fenton. Married in 1991, they started their life together in Hong Kong, later returning to Ridgefield, where they have resided for the past three decades. John is also survived by his sister Cathleen Nolan and was predeceased by his younger brother Joseph Fenton. John was a devoted father and grandfather, treasuring his connections with family. From his first marriage, he is survived by his three children: Jillian Fenton (Blake Billings) of Rhode Island, Timm Fenton (Kelly) of Seattle, WA and Hope Finn of New Canaan. He was predeceased by his daughter, Meredith, and son, Tony. He is survived by his nine grandchildren: Hannah, Fenton, Caleb, John, Lucia, Gabrielle, Teresa, Tyghe, and Sheila, as well as the children and grandchildren gratefully gained through his marriage to Connie: Susan Olsen of Danbury, Melissa Malin (Jac) of Newtown, Carrie Warner (Jeffrey) of Ridgefield, Amy Kalleberg (Kris) of Danbury, and their children Kenneth, Caroline, Kyle, Ryan, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Sean, Kai, and Cole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 6th at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary’s RC Church in Ridgefield.

Contributions in John’s memory may be made to the CF Foundation or the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.