SPRINGFIELD - Michael Joseph Fenton, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer on December 9, 2024. He was born on March 26, 1956, and grew up as a part of a large Irish-Catholic family on Miller Street in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield. His father, Peter Fenton, was an Irish immigrant hailing from Ventry, which was an important part of Michael’s identity, as were his roots in Hungry Hill, a place he cherished and called home all his life.
He was a graduate of Cathedral High School, Providence College, and Western New England College School of Law. Michael was an ice hockey enthusiast and standout goal scorer for the Van Horn Athletic Association and Cathedral High School. He valued education and enjoyed sharing philosophical discussions about almost any topic. He respected others’ opinions and sought them out without reservation. But what was most important to Michael, was his deep-rooted appreciation for family, which guided his life. He taught his children the importance of family, faith, and finding happiness in the simple things. He will be missed for his humorous candor and easygoing attitude.
Michael was predeceased by his parents, Catherine and Peter Fenton. Michael will now join his loving daughter, Lauren, in Eternal Peace, who passed away earlier this year. Michael is survived by Lauren’s husband, Elliot. He also leaves behind his wife, MaryBeth; his son, Michael and his husband Jon; daughters, Brittany and her husband Jake, Marissa and her husband, William, Taylor and her husband Joseph, along with his treasured grandchildren, Owen, Harper, and Hadleigh.
Michael was the fifth of six children and shared a special bond with each of his siblings that he leaves behind: his sister, Ellen and her husband, Michael; his brother, Peter and his partner, Sue; his sister, Ann Marie, his sister, Catherine and her husband, Dennis, and his sister, Martha and her husband, David. He was also survived by twelve nieces and nephews, and even more grandnieces and grandnephews.
Michael will be remembered for his profound love for his family and his infamous stories will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of hearing them.
His relatives and friends are invited to attend a visiting hour on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 10 a.m. (In Church) which will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His burial will be private at the convenience of his family. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Michael’s honor to “Lauren’s Haven, Inc.” a non-profit started by Michael and his family in honor of his late-daughter, Lauren. Memorial donations may be mailed to Lauren's Haven, Inc., c/o 63 Atwater Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 or on line at www.LaurensHaven.com. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com