David J. Fenton, Sr., Esq. Print E-mail

David J. Fenton, Sr., Esq.


    Attorney David John Fenton, Sr., of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 1st at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell. He was the beloved husband of Mary F. (Ilg) Fenton who survives him.
    Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 17, 1931, the son of the late Thomas J. and the late Eleanor (McDermott) Fenton, he was a graduate of St. Clement HS School in Somerville, Class of 1949 where he played football, hockey and baseball. As a youth, his home away from home was on the practice fields of Tufts University, and he graduated from Tufts in 1953 with a BA in history.  While at Tufts, he met his future wife Mary Ilg and was a 3-sport team captain. He graduated from Boston College School of Law in 1956 with a Juris Doctorate Degree.
    Dave proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps as a 1st Lieutenant.
    Over the course of his professional career, he was President of City Solicitors and Town Counselors Association, President of the Lowell Bar Association, Executive Board Member of the Middlesex County Bar Association, Member of the Massachusetts Bar, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. He began his private practice as an attorney in Lowell in 1958, and served in the Lowell Law Department as Assistant City Solicitor for over 40 years.  Throughout his career, he was instrumental in the Collective Bargaining Agreements with Fire and Police, creation of Lowell as a National Historical Park, the development of baseball facilities for the Lowell Spinners, and involved in the approvals and development of the Tsongas arena.
    Dave was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. Throughout his life he stayed involved as a leader and supporter of the Tufts Jumbos Athletic Boosters and was a founding member of the Lowell Youth Hockey Association. He was an avid Boston sports fan, and encouraged participation in sports for his family. He loved spending time with his family on Cape Cod where they spent 50 summers together at his home in South Orleans. 
    In addition to his wife Mary, Dave is survived by two daughters Betsy F. Hargreaves of Dover, MA and Julie F. Gerard and her husband Lawrence of Andover, MA; a son Peter A. Fenton and his wife Elizabeth of Cary, NC; a daughter-in-law Cheryl A. Fenton of Hingham, MA. and eight grandchildren; Julianna Fenton of Hingham, MA, William, Thomas and Peter Fenton Jr. of Cary, NC, Sarah and John Hargreaves of Dover, MA and Jack and Mary Gerard of Andover, MA.
    He was also father of the late David J. Fenton Jr, who died in 2014 and brother of the late Claire Markham.
   Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 12 to 4 P.M. on Sunday. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Monday morning at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock. Burial to follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. E-condolences/directions at
www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Jack Gerard Supplemental Needs Trust, c/o Enterprise Bank, 222 Merrimack St, Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.      

Condolences (5)
  • Mary Alice ( Pimley) Gregoire  - Great man
    I just wanted to say how sorry I am! Mr Fenton and the whole family was part of my childhood I! He was a great husband and father. I lived in the same newborhood but moved many many years ago. But I do remember him fondly!
  • Massachusetts Municipal Lawyer
    The Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (formerly the City Solicitors & Town Counsel Association) wishes to express its most sincere condolences on the passing of our dear friend, mentor and past president. Dave was an active member of the Association and up until the past few years rarely missed a meeting or seminar. He was generous with sharing his expertise in municipal and was often sought out for his guidance. Above all, he was a true friend.
  • LIz Fenron  - Amazing Man
    My father in law was such an amazing man!! I am so proud of him and his son, Peter,Julie and Betsy and all his grandchildren. . He I was an amazing father, grandfather, father in law and friend. I will miss him dearly. Thank you for being such an amazing role model to my husbands and sons.
  • John Ricotta
    Mary, Betsy, Julia, Peter Cheryl and all the family. My deepest condolences on the loss of David and of a life well lived. May the great memories you have as a family and time with him individually, sustain all of you and know that he will always be with you in the days and years ahead. John
  • John Ricotta
    Mary, Betsy, Julie,Peter and all the family. I am terribly sorry for your loss and hope that all the great memories of a life well lived will, sustain you all each in their own way, of the time you had with your father, grandfather and friend. John
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