Andover, NH – Dennis Edward Fenton, 93, died peacefully on September 7, 2026 at the Highland Lake property he and his wife purchased more than 65 years ago. He was born May 24, 1933, in Manchester, New Hampshire, to Paul and Bertha Fenton, and was a lifelong resident of Andover.
Dennis graduated from Andover High School in 1951 where he was a standout athlete on the baseball and basketball teams. He attended the University of New Hampshire before being drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1953 to 1955. After his military service, he completed his studies and graduated from the Thompson School of Agriculture in 1956. That same year, he married Margaret Frost, also of Andover.
From 1955 to 1985, Dennis owned and operated Edgewood Farm, now known as Fenvale, on Route 4 in Andover. He milked registered Holsteins and later raised beef cattle, while also working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1964-1981, eventually serving as their NH State Executive Director for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He later worked for the Bank of New London Trust, retiring in 1999.
Dennis loved his town and believed deeply in community service. For over 52 years he served Andover on the Planning Board, Budget Committee, Zoning Board, Solid Waste Committee, and for many years on the Board of Selectmen, where he was elected chairman each year. He also represented Andover during the formative years of the Concord Regional Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Committee, the Committee for the Study of the Administrative Assistant Form of Government, and the Proctor/Town of Andover Liaison Committee.
His service extended well beyond town government. At various times, Dennis served as a Director of the Merrimack County 4-H Foundation, a Director of the New Hampshire Holstein Club, an Officer and Director of the Hopkinton State Fair, a Director of the Merrimack County Farm Bureau as well as a Director of the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Board for 25 years. He was president of the first Highland Lake Association and later served on the Historical Society’s governing board.
Dennis leaves behind his daughter Cheryl Swenson and her husband, Dana, of Andover; his daughter Deborah Whitney and her husband, Scott, of Andover; his grandchildren Jessica Fallis and her husband, Philip, of Parker, Colorado; Sarah Walker and her husband, Andrew, of Fadden, Australia; Daniel Whitney and his wife, Monica, of Westfield, New Jersey; Timothy Whitney and his fiancée, Emma McCarthy, of Alexandria, Virginia; and Laura Whitney and her wife, Quady, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren who had the privilege of being part of his life.
He is survived by his brother, Paul Fenton of Andover; his sister-in-law, Beth Frost of Andover; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A graveside service is scheduled for September 23rd at 2 pm at Proctor Cemetery in Andover. It will be followed by a Celebration of Life at Camp Kenwood and Evergreen 114 Eagle Pond Road in Wilmot until 5pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Andover Historical Society.
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