Fenton Bearse Sparrow, 92, formerly from Orleans, Massachusetts, died peacefully of natural causes at Tidewell Hospice House in Port Charlotte, Florida on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015.
Fenton, the youngest of four boys born to Jennie and Daniel Sparrow, was born in their farmhouse in Eastham on Cape Cod on Jan. 12, 1923. He graduated from Orleans High School in 1940 and was class president. He attended their 74th reunion last year.
After high school, Fenton attended Hyannis State Teacher’s College. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corp. in 1943, trained to fly fighter planes and received his wings one year later. He received a rank of First Lieutenant and was honorably discharged one month short of four years service.
During his service years, he met his first wife Elizabeth (Libby) Burrows and they were married for 49 years until her death in 1995, residing for the next 27 years in Orchard Park, New York. Fenton was a Mason and due to his civic duties in Orchard Park, April 4, 1978 was declared Fenton B. Sparrow Day. They raised three children, Gary, Gale and Scott.
Fenton also graduated by Stevens Institute of Technology in 1951 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His first and only job was with Bethlehem Steel Corp. and he retired as Superintendant in 1972.
Fenton retired to Cape Cod and enjoyed hobbies such as golfing and fishing, mainly for clams and famous Wellfleet Oysters. He was very proud of his expertise and loved to show off by taking novice fisherman along. Once in a great while he would be out fished and he chalked it off to “beginners luck”.
Fenton met Margaret Schohn while vacationing in Port Charlotte and they were married on February 14th, 1997.
He is survived by his second wife Margaret of Port Charlotte, son Gary of Saybrook, Ohio and daughter Gale of Doylestown, PA. Fenton was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Daniel, brothers Robert, Wilbur and Donald, his first wife Elizabeth, and son Scott.
Services and committal will be held on Cape Cod at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.