Malcolm John Fenton

It is with great sadness for ourselves, and great joy for him, that we announce the passing of Malcolm J. Fenton into the presence of Jesus.

‘Mac’ was born on March 2nd, 1933, and died on October 17th, 2024, at 91 years and six months old.

He was born and raised in Liverpool, England, by Winnifred and Sydney Fenton. Dad had one brother, our beloved Uncle Ray (Barbara). 

At age 15, Dad signed onto the books of Liverpool Football Club. He has had a lifelong commitment to supporting the Mighty Reds.

At 18, Mac was found by Jesus and thus began life’s most profound relationship, love and journey. He served as a missionary briefly in the Republic of Ireland and then as a Pastor at Brannockstown Baptist Church in County Kildare.

During his early ministry, he met our mother, Iris McNally, and they fell in love. They married in 1955 and had five boys: Paul (deceased as a baby), Stephen (Marie), Mark (Ellen), Andrew (Letitia) and Simon (Susan).

His ministry in Newtownbreda began in 1958 as the first Pastor of Newtownbreda Baptist Church in South Belfast, Northern Ireland. For twenty-six years, he served that growing community of faith. Several years of remarkable growth have continued to this day. When home-bound in his last few months, he travelled virtually to NBC on Sundays, thoroughly enjoying the worship and preaching. The church had a huge place in his heart.

In 1982, our whole family began an adventure emigrating to the East Coast of Canada. All of us have remained in Canada, spreading out over its bountiful dominion. Between us four boys, we welcomed 11 of Mac’s grandchildren into the world, eventually bringing along another 17 great-grandchildren for him and Mum to enjoy—whom they cherished, spending time with them for many years. 

Dad was an ordinary Liverpool boy who did extraordinary things while serving God for sheer joy in Scotland, England, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada. He was a lifelong evangelist who reached thousands in his ministry and never stopped spreading the love of Jesus, even to his very last days.  

He was our best friend, our biggest fan, and our profound teacher of the things of Christ. He was a humble leader of his family and church who loved Jesus, his family, and his life to the full. You’ll never walk alone, Dad; we’ll see you soon. 

We will be having a private family service to celebrate his life. Arrangements have been entrusted to W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. In lieu of flowers, please send a gift to the Victorian Order of Nurses of Cape Breton or the Cape Breton Regional Palliative Care Program. As a family, we owe both teams a great debt of love. Online condolences can be left on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,”   1 Peter 1:3-4 NET

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