Obituary for Harry Alden Fentress
On January 15, 2021, Harry Alden Fentress of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully at age 75, surrounded by his wife and two daughters.
Harry is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Susan Wagner Fentress; daughter, Shelley Rafferty and her husband, Kevin; daughter, C. Chesley Mullins and her husband, Jason; grandsons, Harrison and Carter Mullins and John and Colin Rafferty. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, Edward Jeremiah Fentress, Jr. and his wife JoAnn Scott; siblings-in-law, Jim and Cathy Wagner; brother, Arvid Dick Young and his wife Pam; nephew, Jeremy Fentress; nephew, James Wagner and his wife Ashley, and their daughter, Caroline Wagner. Harry is predeceased by his mother, Margaret E. Baber and father, Edward Jeremiah Fentress.
Harry was born on November 10, 1945, at Robins Corner, in Princess Anne County, Va. After graduating from Maury High School, Harry served in the Air Force performing aircraft maintenance. He then completed his Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Harry graduated from the Industrial Management Certificate Program at Tidewater Community College in 1981. He worked as an Engineering Technician in Facility Planning at the Public Works Center (PWC) at Naval Station Norfolk for 36 years. In 1987, Harry''s design for a new logo for PWC was selected to represent the Center. Upon his retirement in 2000, he took on new opportunities, earning his CDL and learning how to drive a dump truck. Harry worked for a medical transport company and performed facility maintenance for Sullivan House in Virginia Beach. He was a Master Mason of the Norview Masonic Lodge #113.
Harry volunteered tirelessly for a multitude of organizations and individuals throughout his life, including St. Gregory the Great and Star of the Sea Catholic Schools and the IHM Sisters of St. Pius X Convent. The Diocese of Richmond honored Harry with the School Stewardship Award in 2002 for his many years of service to Star of the Sea Catholic School.
Harry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, kindness and generosity to others, and his ability to literally fix anything. He loved all genres of music, collected every gadget and tool imaginable, labeled everything and/or a made a sign for it, and had an affinity for hot dogs, gummi bears and ice cream. Harry enjoyed working with the elderly and disabled, and helping anyone who needed it. He was fond of squirrels and dogs, especially pugs. A highlight of Harry''s many hilarious squirrel-related adventures included being featured on an episode of America''s Funniest Home Videos.
Harry''s family is grateful to his many faithful friends and loving caregivers who enriched his life after Harry suffered a debilitating stroke in 2014. While his physical abilities were limited, his sense of humor, love of music and junk food, and desire to label everything never faded. He enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels and anything that was on the History Channel.
You are invited to attend Harry''s memorial service via live stream at www.grahamfuneralhome.com on Friday, February 5 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that donations be made in his memory to The Union Mission Ministries in Norfolk at www.unionmissionministries.org or the Southside Boys and Girls Club at www.ssbandgc.org/.
Harry is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Susan Wagner Fentress; daughter, Shelley Rafferty and her husband, Kevin; daughter, C. Chesley Mullins and her husband, Jason; grandsons, Harrison and Carter Mullins and John and Colin Rafferty. Left to cherish his memory are his brother, Edward Jeremiah Fentress, Jr. and his wife JoAnn Scott; siblings-in-law, Jim and Cathy Wagner; brother, Arvid Dick Young and his wife Pam; nephew, Jeremy Fentress; nephew, James Wagner and his wife Ashley, and their daughter, Caroline Wagner. Harry is predeceased by his mother, Margaret E. Baber and father, Edward Jeremiah Fentress.
Harry was born on November 10, 1945, at Robins Corner, in Princess Anne County, Va. After graduating from Maury High School, Harry served in the Air Force performing aircraft maintenance. He then completed his Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Harry graduated from the Industrial Management Certificate Program at Tidewater Community College in 1981. He worked as an Engineering Technician in Facility Planning at the Public Works Center (PWC) at Naval Station Norfolk for 36 years. In 1987, Harry''s design for a new logo for PWC was selected to represent the Center. Upon his retirement in 2000, he took on new opportunities, earning his CDL and learning how to drive a dump truck. Harry worked for a medical transport company and performed facility maintenance for Sullivan House in Virginia Beach. He was a Master Mason of the Norview Masonic Lodge #113.
Harry volunteered tirelessly for a multitude of organizations and individuals throughout his life, including St. Gregory the Great and Star of the Sea Catholic Schools and the IHM Sisters of St. Pius X Convent. The Diocese of Richmond honored Harry with the School Stewardship Award in 2002 for his many years of service to Star of the Sea Catholic School.
Harry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, kindness and generosity to others, and his ability to literally fix anything. He loved all genres of music, collected every gadget and tool imaginable, labeled everything and/or a made a sign for it, and had an affinity for hot dogs, gummi bears and ice cream. Harry enjoyed working with the elderly and disabled, and helping anyone who needed it. He was fond of squirrels and dogs, especially pugs. A highlight of Harry''s many hilarious squirrel-related adventures included being featured on an episode of America''s Funniest Home Videos.
Harry''s family is grateful to his many faithful friends and loving caregivers who enriched his life after Harry suffered a debilitating stroke in 2014. While his physical abilities were limited, his sense of humor, love of music and junk food, and desire to label everything never faded. He enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels and anything that was on the History Channel.
You are invited to attend Harry''s memorial service via live stream at www.grahamfuneralhome.com on Friday, February 5 at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, Harry requested that donations be made in his memory to The Union Mission Ministries in Norfolk at www.unionmissionministries.org or the Southside Boys and Girls Club at www.ssbandgc.org/.