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Wendell Fenner Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Wendell Fenner
December 4, 2012
Dear Ms. Anita,
So sorry to hear about Mr. Pete. I just found out today. May he rest in peace and frolic with all of the other souls that have left Rose Garden Dr. for that better place we all want to be someday. I pray for the entire family.
With sympathy,
Jeanne Decareaux
Cheryl Buchert
November 24, 2012
Dear Anita and Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cheryl Buchert and Family
Karen Roach
November 22, 2012
Sissy I just heard of your loss. I truly am sorry.
Natashia Gattuso Ciona
November 21, 2012
Leslie~I was so sorry to hear of your Father's passing. He sounded like such a fun and unique man. How lucky you were to have him. Thinking of you and your family in this difficult time.
David Fenner
November 19, 2012
Reflections on Dad
First of all, on behalf of my mother and sisters, I'd thank you all for coming to help us celebrate my father's life. Whether you knew him as Wendell, Mr. Pete, or Peter, Grampy or Uncle Wen, Coach or Mr. Fenner, No Eyes, or something else, I'm quite certain you each have your own very personal and precious sense of who my Dad was. I don't know what I can add that you don't already know, but I'd like to try.
For example, you most likely know that Dad taught at Rummel for 47 years - taught American History and Civics, coached football and baseball, was the Student Council Moderator and Dean of Students. But you may not know that Dad was a pioneer in the areas of archiving, preservation and recycling – the man saved everything. He collected…anything … and threw out virtually nothing. In fact if there's something you regret having thrown out over the last 46 years that Dad lived on Rose Garden Drive, there's a strong chance that he squirreled away a similar model in one of his sheds or closets – if not the very article in question.
Dad was crafty and clever and handy. He could fix just about anything around the house and mostly enjoyed doing it. As a child of the Great Depression he learned well the value and alternative potential uses of the most ordinary items as well as some very unusual ones. If you needed one, no doubt he had one, or two or ten. If he could only find the container that he had put them in.
With Dad you could be forgiven for thinking that what you saw was what you got. He wasn't flashy. He didn't see much need in having the newest thing out there. He mostly dressed casually and simply, saving his more flamboyant get ups to cut the grass or to imitate 1960s era female pop super-groups.
No, he was not pretentious, but with Dad we all got much more than what we asked for or deserved. He gave everything when called on. Everything. He cared and recognized need and value in us even when not called on to do so.
Much has been made of Dad's horrible eyesight, the coke bottle glasses, the protruding antennas of some of his early model frames. To add insult to his rotten genetic inheritance, he even got glaucoma to sort of finish the job. In this respect, Dad was not a man of vision. He couldn't see with the eyes he was given. Rather, I'd say he was a man of insight. Quietly, he somehow developed the ability to look deep inside each of us and recognize our true needs.
He noticed people. He could and would talk to anyone who needed company.
As bad as his eyes were, his ears may have been worse. Nevertheless, he heard people. I've come to realize in these last few days and weeks as Dad got sick again just how rare his abilities were. Sadly, I that think I for one took them for granted and didn't call on him nearly enough to reap those benefits.
When I was in high school at Rummel, Dad drove us to school everyday, with me in the passenger seat finishing my homework or otherwise focused on something else and not on whatever Dad was telling me. Years later he told me how much he valued the chats we had had in the few minutes it took to cross over the I-10 on Causeway. I had to confess that I had remembered it differently. I remembered silence in that car – the green Ford Pinto that had somehow avoided recall. I know I was wrong. Something had been happening in that car that I had been unaware of. Dad had been doing the work of a father, as I'm sure he did for you as friends and colleagues and relatives.
Dad's work flew under the radar. He did it at close range, face to face. I didn't always notice it; it was so natural to him. We miss it now though. We're hearing it now as his voice cuts through the clutter in our heads. The messages he steadfastly and patiently strove to instill in us, to impart to us, we hear now loud and clear Dad.
Last Saturday, Dad was lying on the couch resting after visiting the doctor. My Mom had run off to the grocery, so Dad and I were alone for the first time since I ‘d arrived a few days earlier. Though I wasn't comfortable pushing the issue, I wanted to use the opportunity to have a sort of final heart to heart with Dad before that was no longer possible. He beat me to it. He started talking, so I listened.
Like many of the conversations we had had since he got sick this year, Dad wanted to tell me about his past, his youth and early adulthood. I listened gratefully, eager to learn about the experiences that had shaped my father.
What he had to say was of a piece. He told me that he had done a lot of goofy things in his life and he wanted to be remembered for those. He wanted us to recount goofy stories of him, like when he got hit in the back of the head by a baseball while standing flatfooted on the mound watching for the throw from second base to home plate. Bam! The runner scored.
Tellingly, he didn't want a big production today. Dad's way was humble and deeply faithful. I'd like us to honor that faith and humility today and as we go forth. I believe the best way for us to remember Dad is to look and see, listen and hear, learn and teach, over and over and over again.
Thinking back on his childhood in what was really our last conversation, Dad said to me squinting, “I used to like to throw rocks. I threw a lot of rocks.” He was a rascal. He was a knucklehead. He threw a lot of rocks. Now is the time for us to gather the stones that he scattered, to continue his work with the courage and the faith and humility that he taught us.
Thank you for being here. Thank you Dad for all that you have given us. I will always love you as you loved us.
Bill & Sylvia Gruber
November 19, 2012
Anita & Family:
Just learned of Pete's passing (Mon,Nov19)! Sorry for your loss. He is definitely in my prayers. Remember, his sufferings prepared a high place in heaven for him. You now have someone to pray TO. God Bless all of you. I'm sure He has blessed Pete.
(Brother) Bill Gruber [Asst. Principal @ Rummel with Pete.
Diane Pavlovich
November 18, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss.
The Pavlovich Family
Jay Brands(Rummel 67)
November 18, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss.
November 17, 2012
I only knew Mr. Pete for a short time at St. Edward the Confessor. As a dining room monitor, he was very friendly, and funny. We in the cafeteria were sad to hear about his passing. Our thoughts go out to his family. Kim Chatelain Cafeteria Manager
Roland Meariman Jr
November 17, 2012
Please accept my condolences for the passing of Mr Fenner. He was a terrific civics teacher and good man. I always enjoyed his class during my freshman year. I used to bring in the Times Picayune for class discussions. He had a great influence on me and my interest in history and government. He will be in my prayers and memory. Thanks Mr Fenner
November 17, 2012
Dear Lesley and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Erin and Brett Wright and Family and "Paw-Paw" Ronald Chevis
John Blancher
November 17, 2012
A great man.A better friend. Thanks, Coach!Love ya!
November 16, 2012
Anita,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Pete's death. He was a good husband and father and an all around good guy. His death brought back many happy memories of our joint involvement in the cub scouts and boy scouts at St. Angela with our sons.
May he rest in peace.
Ed Welsch
November 16, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fenner family. Baugnons
Beth Landry
November 16, 2012
I was sad to hear of your dad's passing, Courtney, Leslie, and David. The Welsch family send their condolences.
November 16, 2012
Sissy, I am so, so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved, Pete. Please know that you, your children and grandchildren are in my thoughts and prayers...love you, friend...Vanda S. Lattie
JAMES HOEFELD, CLASS OF 1983
November 16, 2012
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
Kenny Spellman
November 16, 2012
On behalf of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Alumni Association and Brother Martin High School, I offer our prayers and condolences.
On a personal note, as a former neighbor and friend of the family, Mr. Fenner was a great man and he will be missed.
Kenny Spellman '84
Alumni Director
November 16, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss. He is now resting in peace.
Rosevally family
Dianne Gattuso
November 16, 2012
It has been many years, please know we are with you in thoughts and prayers....The Philip J. Gattuso family
Billy Kampen
November 16, 2012
Anita,
My sincere condolences to you & your family. I was one of the most fortunate Raiders to have had "Coach" as a student & colleague, but most importantly, a true friend...He will be missed by all!!! Billy
Brother John Fairfax
November 16, 2012
Dear Anita, It's with fond memories and prayers that I hold Pete and your family in my heart at this time of sadness. May he rest in peace.
Gary Breaux
November 16, 2012
I am very sad to hear of Mr. Fenner's passing and offer my deepest sympathies to his family. He was my homeroom teacher at Rummel in 1985 and for several courses over my 4 years. He was a great teacher. He has been and be will be fondly remembered by his many students over the years.
Rummel Class of 1989.
Sylvia Rouchell
November 16, 2012
May he rest in peace. My prayers and thoughts go out to Wendell and his family at this most difficult time. I was one of his classmates at St. James Major and have fond memories of him.
Steve Bono
November 16, 2012
Coach "Pete" Fenner was my first football and baseball coach at Rummel High School in 1970! I was a freshman at the time and was only 14 years old. He was such a kind man and really represented Rummel and their christian values. Thank you coach for being there for all of us when we were so young and showing the way! Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Coach Fenner's family and Rummel students.
Beth Sekinger
November 16, 2012
Dear Lesley and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was taken way too early. I know you will miss him and hope that your happy memories help to get you through this sad time. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy Breaux-Smith
November 16, 2012
To Sissy, Courtney, David and Lesley, we are so sorry for the passing of Pete, please know that we are prayering for you in this difficult time. May God Bless you all.
Cathy, Gary, Taylor Ann and Olivia Smith and Catherine Vezich Breaux
Frank Hoeffner
November 16, 2012
Thanks for teaching me the right way to do things at Rummel.
May God bless you and your family. Rest in peace Mr. Fenner.
Frank Hoeffner, Rummel 1975
frank brunet
November 16, 2012
Wendell, May you rest in peace,and may God see your family through these trying times...Frank w. Brunet III CJ57 and SA in 7th. and 8th. grades.
BOBBY AND DEBBIE THEALL
November 15, 2012
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FENNER FAMILY,SUCH A PILLAR OF A WONDERFUL FAMILY, MR FENNER WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL THOSE WHO NEW HIM
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