BOSTON, MA - Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey regrets to announce that former Chief Justice John E. Fenton, Jr. died on Sunday, August 24, 2014, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice in Haverhill. A resident of Andover, Chief Justice Fenton was born in Lawrence on October 28, 1930. 

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants said, "In 1992, Chief Justice Fenton was appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court as the Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court, leading the Trial Court with dedication and passion through many critical initiatives. He was a dedicated and beloved leader of the judiciary."

"It is with great sadness that I inform you that former Chief Justice John Fenton passed away this past Sunday. Chief Justice Fenton had a long and celebrated legal career and served the Massachusetts Trial Court with great distinction. His vision and commitment to justice will be deeply missed," said Chief Justice Paula Carey. 

Former Chief Justice Fenton was appointed Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Land Court in May of 1974, and appointed as Chief Justice of the Land Court in September 1990, where he served until December 31, 1992. Chief Justice Fenton was appointed Chief Administrative Justice of the Trial Court in January 1992 by the Supreme Judicial Court, serving in that role until August 1995. 
Chief Justice Fenton taught at Suffolk University Law School, where he was a Distinguished Professor of Law from 2000 until 2013, and was Dean and Professor of Law from 1995 to 1999. From 1954 to 1974, he was in private practice with the firm of Fenton and Elias in Lawrence. Chief Justice Fenton served as a First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army for over two years.

Services: A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex St., Andover, MA, 01810. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 28, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc., 122 Amesbury St. Lawrence, MA. For more information please go to: www.breenfuneralhome.com.