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Thomas Fennell Obituary

Fennell, Jr., Thomas A.
Thomas Anthony Fennell, Jr., age 74, beloved husband to high school sweetheart Barbara Collins Fennell for 51 years, entered into eternal peace on October 21, 2015 at home with his wife by his side. He was the son of the late Thomas A. and Louisa (Norman) Fennell and was born on December 12, 1940 in Bridgeport, CT. Tom was a graduate of the first class of St. James School, Stratford High School and the Naval Air Technical Training Command in Memphis, Tennessee. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Wasp and the USS Coral Sea from 1959 to 1962. He loved his choice of careers as firefighter with the Stratford Fire Department where he was employed for thirty-six years. Previously, he was employed by Sikorsky Aircraft, Avco Lycoming Army Engine Plant and Connecticut State Oil. Fishing on Long Island Sound on his Boat the "Four Sons" with his sons, family and friends was his ultimate pleasure trying to catch "The Big One." Volunteering twenty-two years for the Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp for children recovering from burn injuries was near and dear to his heart. Family vacations camping for seventeen years with firefighters and families and cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Nova Scotia will be fondly remembered. Gardening was a huge effort every spring and summer and sharing his abundant produce with family, friends and neighbors pleased him to the max. He was a life member of the VFW Post 9460, the Stratford Firefighters Benevolent Association, Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters and the Stratford Boat Owners Association formerly serving on the Board of Governors. Surviving family includes sons, Thomas W. Fennell, Dean A. Fennell (Kristen) and Steven T. Fennell (Lisa); grandchildren Brandon, Britni, Brooke and Devin Fennell, Barbara and Bryan Aney and Stephanie; three great-grandchildren; brother William Fennell of Parker, Colorado; brothers-in-law, David Collins of Milford and J. David Craig (Jackie) of Stratford and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son Garrett A. Fennell, parents Thomas and Louisa Fennell, brother Robert Fennell, in-laws William and Marie Collins and sister-in-law Kathleen Collins Craig. A funeral service will be held Monday, October 26, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford, CT followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. James Church, Main Street, Stratford, CT at 10:30 a.m. Friends may call on Sunday, October 25th in the McDonald Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name may be made to the Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp, c/o Connecticut Burns Care Foundation, Suite 2, 601 Boston Post Road, Milford, CT 06460 or VITAS Healthcare, 99 Hawley Lane, Suite 1204, Stratford, CT 06614. Many thanks to caregivers from VITAS, Connecticut in-home Assistance and family and friends who got us through this difficult time. For additional information or to share a message of condolence, visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.



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Published by Connecticut Post from Oct. 23 to Oct. 24, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Fennell

Not sure what to say?





Carmen Hernandez

November 21, 2015

God Bless You Tom!
May your soul rest in the
everlasting peace of Christ
Almighty.

Carmen, Rene, Jonathan & Steven Hernandez

November 21, 2015

Dear Barbara and the Fennell family,
We are truly sorry for your loss. May god bring you and your family comfort during this very difficult time in your lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!

Richard Tyler

October 26, 2015

Steve, I am terribly sorry for your loss; my prayers will be with you and your family. God Bless. Rich Tyler

joe & val dragone

October 26, 2015

To the Fennell family;
the memories I have are from when I was a kid, and now I hold them forever and feel lucky to have them! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, stay strong and hold the memories close.

ANNETTE KREITLER

October 26, 2015

DEAR BARBARA,
MY PRAYERS AND LOVE TO YOU IN YOUR LOSS OF TOM.

Seeley & Margaret Kellogg

October 26, 2015

Barbara, Tom, Dean & Steven so sorry for your loss! Tom, Dean & Steven take good care of your mother she is a special women who needs her sons support in the days ahead.

Annette Minarick Buggy

October 25, 2015

Barb, Tom,Steve, Dean and family:

So sorry for your loss, I wish I could have been there to comfort you at this time, thoughts, prayers and love.

Thomas DeMarco

October 25, 2015

Sorry for your loss of truly one of the last of the old school firefighters as well as a Great Guy! Words can't express the good times and knowledge I gained from him from over the eight years spent riding Engine 11 on his shift as one of the three Tom's on it!! We will miss him dearly! God Bless!

Brian, Patty Ruskin

October 24, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

October 24, 2015

Fennell Family,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Dean and Deb DelFranco

camille

October 24, 2015

Barbara and family,
So sorry for your loss. Tom was a really nice man.

Camille
VFW Post 9460

October 23, 2015

Dear Barb and Family,
I was very sad to learn of Tom's passing. I treasure forever the times we spent together and the laughter we all shared. Please accept my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
With love and respect,
Pat Zelle

Yvonne Bourdeau

October 23, 2015

Barb so very sorry for your loss, Tom was a great guy. My Prayers are with you.

Rev.G.FREDERICK FIRKEY

October 23, 2015

Dear,Barbara;I am so sorry to hear of Toms passing. May G-D be with you and your family at this sad time! Rev.G.FREDERICK FIRKEY

October 23, 2015

Barbara, The Hallstrom family is so sorry to hear that Tom passed away. Our family was so happy that Tom and you bought our home on Vernon St.
We are thinking of you and your family and sending our deepest sympathy.
Lynn Hallstrom Shepard-The Villages, Florida

October 23, 2015

Barbara, you are truly an amazing woman and that shows though the love of your boys and how dedicated you all were throughout the years as you cared for Tom and supported each other through such difficult times.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers and we are privileged to know such a wonderful, selfless family. Please if you need anything we are always here for you!
Love Dan, Tammi, Brodey and Caeley Ott

Carole (Adams) Weston

October 23, 2015

Barb,so sorry to read about Tom. He was one in a million. Great guy. Prayers to you and family.

Lori Champagne

October 23, 2015

So very sorry to hear about this sad news , My heart and prayers go out to the Fennell family .

MIRIAM DE JESUS

October 23, 2015

MAY GOD BE WITH YOU

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