George Fenwick, active in local politics, dies

The life-long Hillsborough resident was active as a Republican on the state, county and local levels, and as a member of several local commissions.

By: Purvi Desai
   Call to mind the most involved and dedicated person in town, and many residents say George Fenwick Jr.’s name jumps into their head.
   Whether as a Republican active on state, county and local levels, or as a member of several local commissions or as a Little Dukes player — he did it all.
   He was a book of wisdom and knowledge, having been in town for all his life, Mayor Anthony Ferrera said.
   George E. Fenwick Jr., 51, died at his home Monday, after battling leukemia since October 2004. He had undergone extensive treatments, including two bone marrow transplants with tissue donated by his sister, Robin Bernard.
   "He was the light of my world and I’m going to miss him terribly," his widow, Janet, said Wednesday.
   Ms. Fenwick said she had met Mr. Fenwick in 1976 when both were attending a Bicentennial event.
   "We were both sort of having a miserable time together," she said. The couple corresponded for several years as Mr. Fenwick completed studies at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa., then married in October 1981.
   Mr. Fenwick leaves two children, a son, George lll, 21, who just completed an associate’s degree program in criminal justice and hopes to become a police officer, and Erin, a senior at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence.
   Ms. Fenwick said her children’s career choices show a "pattern of serving" that reflects their father’s values.
   "Hillsborough meant more to him than anyone will ever know," Ms. Fenwick said.
   Assemblyman Peter Biondi, who knew the Fenwick family for more than two decades, said on Tuesday that he was very sad to hear of Mr. Fenwick’s death through Ms. Fenwick.
   "He went through a bone marrow transplant and took a turn for the worse," Assemblyman Biondi said. "I was deeply saddened yesterday morning when Janet called me.
   "He was a good family man, a good committed Republican, on the local, county and national levels," Assemblyman Biondi said. "It is a shame and my prayers go out to the entire family. George will be sadly missed by a great number of people. He was a champion giver and had a big heart, and served the town in many capacities."
   Mike Merdinger, a friend and colleague to Mr. Fenwick, said they knew each other since the 1980s, when they served together on the Township Committee. "George comes from a family that’s always had community service foremost on their mind," Mr. Merdinger said. "His parents were involved. His sister was Planning Board chair and is vice chair now."
   Mr. Merdinger said that at the time of Mr. Fenwick’s death, he served on three commissions — the Environmental Commission, the Tree Mitigation Commission, and was elected to the Charter Study Commission.
   "He always had a smile on his face and always cared about Hillsborough," Mr. Merdinger said. "He got involved in every little thing he could and gave his expertise to those commissions. George was a very likable person. He was always enthusiastic and always gave what he could to the township."
   Chris Jensen, chairman of the Charter Study Commission, said Mr. Fenwick will be missed. "His community activism, passion and concern for Hillsborough were apparent toall who knew him," he said.
   Mr. Fenwick was last employed by Home Depot in Flemington, where he worked as a John Deere tractor salesman.
   He was president of the Kimberwyck 2 Condo Association and a member of the Hillsborough Republican Club. Mr. Fenwick was also a district committeeman from Hillsborough Township on the Somerset County Republican Committee. For many years, Mr. Fenwick was active in the Explorer/Sea Scouts and in Pop Warner Football, an association that began when he was a player for the Little Dukes as a youngster.
   Mayor Ferrera said Mr. Fenwick was an energetic person who was very much involved with the town. "He really truly cared about Hillsborough," Mayor Ferrera said.
   He said that Mr. Fenwick was on a lot of township commissions and, as a result of his long presence in town, the history and wisdom he possessed was very much valued. "It is a terrible loss to the community and Hillsborough," Mayor Ferrera said. "He was always energetic and willing to help out. He was a ‘go get ’em type of guy."
   Committeeman Paul Drake said at the Township Committee meeting Tuesday night that he knew Mr. Fenwick as a friend and as a neighbor.
   "It is a sad day for Hillsborough," he said. "I really will miss him."
   Deputy Mayor Lisa Nisivoccia and Committeemen Carl Suraci and Bob Wagner all expressed their deepest condolences to the Fenwick family.
   The sentiments spoken by local officials highlights Mr. Fenwick’s legacy of community service, which Ms. Fenwick said may be missed by many.
   "It was a legacy I hope someone else will pickup and carry forward," she said.
   Mr. Fenwick is also survived by his mother, Marian Hulse Fenwick of Hillsborough; three sisters, Robin F. Bernard and Marian Fenwick-Freeman, both of Hillsborough; and Karen Fenwick Zitz in Virginia.
   Mr. Fenwick’s funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Clover Hill Reformed Church on Amwell Road. Interment will be in the Neshanic Cemetery, in Neshanic. Calling hours will be between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., today (Thursday) at the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation, 2700 Patriot Blvd., Suite 100, Glenview, IL, 60026-8021. For further information, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.