Donald M. Fenner

NEW HARTFORD - Donald Moore Fenner, a longtime Herkimer resident and active community member in the Mohawk Valley, passed away peacefully ­­­­­­­­Wednesday evening, December 27, 2023 at The Abraham House in Utica. He was 93 years old. Born in Herkimer on May 31, 1930 he was the oldest son of the late Gerald Milo and Margaret Hane Fenner. He graduated from Herkimer High School in 1947 and Colgate University in 1951 majoring in Botany. He served in combat during the Korean War as a 2nd Lt in the Army as a Radio Intelligence Officer and was honorably discharged in 1953 earning service medals and honors. In 1955 he graduated from the American Academy of Embalming and Mortuary Research in New York City.
On November 19, 1955 he married Mary Ellen Nordgren in Little Falls. For over thirty years, they owned and operated Fenner Funeral Home in Herkimer while raising three children. They shared a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-five years until her passing on October 15, 2020.
Don's passion for local history is revealed in his work to restore the Fort Herkimer Church where he served as President of the Board of Commissioners. He oversaw its continuing restoration for nearly 60 years. Upon completing necessary safety projects early on, Don began organizing Interfaith Thanksgiving services at the Church, which started a long tradition of Valley residents spending their holiday morning in the very chilly sanctuary. The chilly air was warmed by the comfort of familiar faces, songs, and words commemorating the day. In 2007, he was presented the Award for Excellence from the Preservation League of New York State for his decades long commitment to this historic treasure. He was very proud to leave the Church with a firm foundation for the future.
After Don retired from funeral work in 1986 and moved to Springfield Center, he renovated a large home at the location of the former Duke's Oak Theatre. There he and Mary Ellen welcomed and housed opera singers and other artists each summer who were performing at the Glimmerglass Opera. In the winter they held LAF days (Lunch at Fenners) for the opera's year-round staff. Laughter was always a part of any time spent with Don. During the busy opera season their volunteer work for the Opera Guild shifted into overdrive. Don led the early Building and Grounds committee and served on the Guild Board as their Treasurer until 2017. Helping wherever they could, the Fenners made and sustained countless friendships through their passion for opera and music. The pair was awarded the Glimmerglass Opera Volunteer of the Year award in 1987 and again in 2005. They were also honored in 1994 by Opera Volunteers International with their "Partners in Excellence" award.
Don and his wife joined the St Mary's Episcopal Church in Springfield Center and quickly found ways to volunteer there as well. He served on the Vestry and as Treasurer. He was sure not miss cake and ice cream at the end of Mary Ellen's choir practices, which were held at their home.
Among many friends and acquaintances, Don may be best known for his woodcarvings. He was a prolific whittler. Starting his hobby with a bar of soap and moving quickly to wood, he carved and painted hundreds of decoys and songbirds, eagles and angels, Christmas ornaments and Easter rabbits, signs and Santas. He was always starting a new angel - especially around Christmastime - to give away to friends. As a member and former Vice President of the National Woodcarvers Association, he gained more friendships and inspiration to advance his carving and painting talent.
When he wasn't listening to opera, sanding a duck or preparing a Treasurer's report, he was out in the woods looking for just the right stick or taking a walk up the road with Mary Ellen. He stayed athletic well into his 70's running and winning road races locally and regionally including the Dartmouth Relays with the Hurley's Heroes Track Club.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Ellen. Aside from his parents he was also predeceased by his sister, Ruth Hane Sporer. Surviving are his brother Bradford J. Fenner and his wife Joanne (Tapper) of Daytona Beach Shores, FL; two sons, Andrew C. Fenner of Cerrillos, NM and Peter H. Fenner and his wife, Jennifer (Barr) of East Peoria, IL; a daughter, Cynthia F. Staley and her husband David of Springfield Center; four grandchildren, Spencer E. Staley of Reno, NV and his fiancée Genevieve Woodhead, James G. Fenner and his wife Kristin (Dattilo) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Charles P. Fenner of Austin, TX, and David M. Fenner of Cincinnati, OH; one great-grandson Oliver James Fenner, son of James and Kristin, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Cedarbrook Village, The Abraham House and Oneida Hospice and Palliative Care for all they do to care for and comfort families in need. A memorial service is planned for May 4, 2024 at the Fort Herkimer Church with a private burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Herkimer. Expressions of sympathy may be made via memorial donation to The Glimmerglass Festival, PO Box 191, Cooperstown, NY 13326, The Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St. Utica, NY 13501, The Fort Herkimer Church, 102 Main St. Herkimer, NY 13350 or a charity of choice. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home, Inc. Herkimer, NY.