DOUGLAS COURSEY FENN

MIDDLEBURY — A devoted father, husband, brother, flirt, and jokester who loved to tell stories, and a man who always had a smile, Douglas C. Fenn, 81, of Middlebury, Vt., died at The Pines in Rutland after a long illness on Dec. 30, 2023.

He was born in Middlebury on April 25, 1942, to Robert E. and Doris M. (Coursey) Fenn, and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1960. He married Donna Hope on Sept. 28, 1963, divorced in 1980 and married Janice Seymour on April 17, 1982.

Doug was preceded in death by his second wife, Janice A. (Seymour), who died on Feb. 5, 2015, to whom he dedicated over 25 years of care; his parents and step-mother Carol (Merritt) Fenn, and his brothers David and Dale Fenn. He is survived by his daughter, Amy (Brad) Boise of Middlebury; son, Robert Fenn (Laura) of Middlebury; stepdaughters, Crystal D’Avignon (Corey) of Orwell and Andrea Conway (Shaun) of Chittenden; and his first wife, Donna, who he reconnected with in his later years. Also, his grandchild Katina Aro (Ryan); stepgrandchildren Kelsey Ryan, Brooke Ryan, and Dylan Ryan; and 5 stepgreat-grandchildren.

Doug enlisted in the Vermont Army National Guard in November 1965, where he was an M1 rifle Marksman and honorably discharged. He worked at Hendy Bros. for 44 years, working his way up from mechanic to Service Manager until his retirement in 2007. He was a master welder and continued to enjoy working on John Deere tractors and other equipment in his home garage.

At the age of 16 Doug starting flying lessons and earned his commercial pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his Luscombe and Cessna until he could no longer fly. He was a lifetime motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding his Harley. Douglas was a lifetime volunteer fire fighter, having served as Chief and Assistant Chief with the East Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department and the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Jan. 20, from 1-3 p.m., at the Middlebury American Legion, located at 49 Wilson Road, Middlebury.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department at 1952 Vermont Route 30 Cornwall, VT. 05753 or to the Addison County Humane Society (Homeward Bound) at 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT  05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊