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Kingston businessman and philanthropist Walter Fenlon passed away on Monday, May 11. Picture taken at Fenlon’s office at Gildersleave House on King Street in Kingston in September 2019 Photo by Bernard Clark /Photo supplied
Walter Fenlon, a significant figure in Kingston’s charitable community, has died at the age of 93.
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“He would have turned 94 on June seventh,” Fenlon’s widow, Linda Ann Daly, said through tears in an interview at her home on Friday.
Daly remembered her husband as someone full of empathy and strong principles who never let his success set him apart from others.
“He always tried to meet people where they are,” Daly said. “He never talked down to anyone. He wanted to understand what people needed and then help them achieve it.”
A seasoned financial adviser and supporter of community initiatives and arts programs, Fenlon played a major role in shaping Kingston’s charitable sector over many years. He dedicated both his leadership skills and financial resources towards various causes such as hospital foundations and performing arts. He is especially recognized for co-chairing a significant campaign aimed at restoring Kingston’s historic Grand Theatre – an initiative that raised millions of dollars while revitalizing one of the city’s most treasured heritage sites.
Fenlon’s impact reached far beyond just this project. Through efforts like Imagine Kingston along with collaborations with major organizations such as Queen’s University and local hospitals like Kingston Symphony Association he became known as a quiet yet determined advocate for civic growth.
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Brought into this world in 1932 near Stoco Ontario where he grew up on a farm as part of a working-class family defined by modest means – these experiences greatly influenced how he approached both business dealings as well as philanthropic activities later down life path
Lacking formal education , he launched career working locally within Vandervoort’s hardware store doing manual work before gradually transitioning into sales roles. Eventually moving onto Brockville early into ‘60s , entered finance selling mutual funds establishing groundwork for lifelong vocation.
Sometime around ‘80s , had made quite name for himself wealth management establishing firm called Fenlon Financial which went onto become one among regions’ most renowned advisory firms.
The company first based out Ontario street relocated historical site Gildersleeve House ; beautiful stone structure positioned perfectly corner King & Johnson streets.
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Originally built back ’25 prominent shipping magnate Henry Gildersleeve , poured much effort resources into restoration process making sure preserve one downtown oldest surviving homes designated heritage property.
“It was one his proudest accomplishments” Daly mentioned “He was so happy with work did there.”
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