Linne Fenton

Linne Auguste Fenton was born on Christmas Eve in 1933 to Lancelot and Amise (née Bien-Aime) Fenton. He grew up in a large family and had six brothers and sisters. He lived in Cayes Jacmel, Haiti where his father was a local politician and his mother was a merchant. He studied law at L’ecole De Droit in Port-au-Prince. While there, he taught at Lycee Pinchinat. Upon graduating from law school, he took a position at Lycee Celie Lamour as the Vice Principal (Censeur) of an all girls school. In December of 1965, he married his childhood sweetheart, Miralia Roy. They had their first and only son in May 1967, Philippe Harold. By 1969, Linne followed his wife to Queens, NY with their young son in tow. Upon arriving in America and having difficulty finding work, he enrolled in the RCA Institutes School of Electronics Technology. Upon graduating on March 2, 1972, he accepted a position at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ.  He worked on a team at Bell Laboratories that would help develop one of the first Fiber Optics communications systems in the nation.  In April of 1972, Linne and his wife welcomed their second child, Muriel Josephine.

Linne and his wife with their two young children eventually moved to Long Branch, NJ. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Irvington, NJ.  In 1974, he adopted his niece Suzette Fenton.  A year later they welcomed their youngest child, Myrna Carmel to the family. Soon after moving to Irvington, Linne became heavily involved in the Haitian community. He served as a Deacon at Blessed Sacrament church in Newark and helped organized fundraisers and performances with popular Haitian bands.

Linne retired from Bell Laboratories in 1984 and bought Rosehill Market in Irvington, NJ. He also purchased two adjoining rental properties to the store. Between the store and the rental income he was able to continue to help put his children through private schools and college. He retired for the second time in 2000.  He spent his retirement years building his family a beautiful 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in Cayes Jacmel and spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored.

Linne was a charming, gregarious man who was quick to smile and easily strike up a conversation with you. He enjoyed a spirited debate and loved spending time with his family and friends. That love is something he passed down to his children and to his extended family.  Linne and his wife cared for a number of family members that emigrated from Haiti to the United States.

As a result of his training as a lawyer, he was affectionately referred to as “Mait” Linne or “Mait” Fenton. Linne had a quick wit and would rarely hesitate to tell you exactly how he felt. He was well respected by former students, colleagues, friends, and family in the Haitian community.
Linne was also a principled man. During his years running Rosehill Market he wouldn’t allow neighborhood kids to loiter around the store. Despite many challenges and setbacks, Linne did not give up and continued to operate the store to support his family.  When he was asked why he kept his business in Irvington, he replied that he wanted to be able to show his children and the children in the community what was possible. The lesson may have been lost on many who came to the store but not all……and definitely not his children. His presence will be missed.

Linne is survived by his children Philippe, Muriel, and Myrna; son-in-law James, and adopted daughter/niece Suzette; grandchildren, Andrew Louis, Alyssa Louis, Austin Louis, Nancy Louis, Kareen Louis, and Ellen Louis; brother; Louis Fenton, brother-in-law; Elliot Roy and family; nephews and nieces; Marie Emile Fenton and family, Hervey Fenton and family, Odile Fenton and family, Louis Fenton Jr. and family, Charles Fenton and Family, and Andre Fenton and Family; Carlo Bertrand and family; Marie Gauthier and Family. He also left behind a host of nieces and nephews of his deceased brothers and sisters in Haiti, Boston, Florida, and New York.

The funeral will be from the Galante Funeral Home 2800 Morris Ave. in Union,N.J. on Friday at 8:30 AM. The funeral mass will be in Holy Spirit & Our Lady Help of Christians Church in East Orange at 10AM. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
Visitation  will be on Thursday from 5 - 9 PM.