Dr. Michael Alexander Fenn passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023, in North Bay after a brief illness. Mike was born in Parkhill Ontario, a small farming community outside of London on June 12, 1943. He was the loving son of his late parents Graham and Kathleen and caring brother of Judy. Beloved husband of Anne (nee Valiquette) and stepfather of Todd Baril.
Loving Dad of Angela (John), Michael (Nadia), Suzanne (John) and Peter and survived by their mother Marion.
Loving Grandpa of Molly, Jeb, Michael, James, Matthew, and Andrew.
Mike’s early years were spent enjoying time with family and friends in his tight knit community of Parkhill and helping his father with their family’s general store. After losing his own father due to illness in his teens, he persevered and obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and later his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo.
After graduation in 1970, he made the bold move and relocated his young family to North Bay where he practiced optometry for over forty years. He was well liked by his patients and most appointments involved a friendly chat with an eye exam thrown in. He was an avid reader with diverse interests and never shied away from a lengthy conversation. He was intelligent and charming and looked at new opportunities as an adventure, even trying farming early in his career.
In his later years he and Anne enjoyed entertaining friends, golfing, and regular trips down south.
Although Mike struggled with his health over the years, we hope that he will be remembered for his kind and generous nature and warm smile.
A special thank you to his long-standing family physician Dr. Jim Vigars, for his exemplary care and friendship. To all the staff at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, we thank you for showing kindness and compassion in his time of need.
As per Mike’s wishes a cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at the 406 Wing (North Bay) on June 12th, 2023, between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm for family and friends. A private family ceremony and interment will be arranged at a later date in Parkhill.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in honour of his son Peter to the North Bay PADDLE Program (Providing Adults with Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Experiences) would be appreciated by the family. Online Condolences can be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com