Fenton R. “Dude” McAvoy, 92, of East Hartford, CT and formerly of East Millinocket, ME, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 with his family by his side at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. He was the loving husband of 52 years of the late Ann Marie (O’Mara) McAvoy. Born in Millinocket, Maine on January 10, 1933, a son of the late Halbert and Myrtle (MacDonald) McAvoy, he had been a lifelong resident of the East Millinocket, ME area until moving to East Hartford three years ago. Fenton was a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, ME, where he starred in basketball, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Prior to his retirement in 1988, Fenton was employed for over 37 years by the Great Northern Paper Company in both Millinocket and East Millinocket plants as a Power Systems Engineer. Fenton and his wife had a winter home down in Dunedin, FL where many wonderful years were spent just ten minutes from the clear warm waters and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. He also enjoyed the many summers spent at their summer home on Ambejejus Lake in Maine, where they cherished the time with their grandchildren and other family members. He owned several boats and received great joy taking his grandchildren out for a ride on the lake.

Fenton was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in East Millinocket and looked forward to gathering with his friends at Hamlet Pub in East Millinocket. He was an avid reader and golfer who also liked playing cards with his wife and solving crossword puzzles and jumbles. He would travel with his wife and gave back to the East Millinocket community as a youth basketball coach.

Fenton is survived by his daughter, Julie Ann Buerk and her husband Paul of East Hartford, CT with whom he made his home; four sons, Thomas R. McAvoy and his companion Jennifer Moscone of Brunswick, ME, David E. McAvoy and his wife Carlea of Olympia, WA, John S. McAvoy and his wife Aileen Zalameda McAvoy in the Philippines, and Scott A. McAvoy of Cedar Park, TX. He also leaves seven special grandchildren, Derek Buerk of East Hartford, CT, Justin Buerk and his wife Shannon of East Hartford, CT, Elyse McAvoy of Jersey City, NJ, Tristan McAvoy of Millinocket, ME, Reazen McAvoy of Spokane, WA, Sydney McAvoy of Denver, CO, Seth McAvoy of Austin, TX; three adored great-grandchildren, Ella Rae Buerk, Caden Paul Buerk, Hadlee Ann Buerk; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Fenton was predeceased by a brother, William McAvoy of Millinocket, ME, and a sister, Barbara Boyington of Millinocket, ME.

A graveside service with military honors will be Saturday (August 30, 2025) at 11 am at the East Millinocket Cemetery in East Millinocket, ME. There are no calling hours. The D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, CT has been entrusted with the care of the local Connecticut funeral arrangements. The Bowers Funeral Home South, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, ME has charge of the Maine funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com

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