By Tanya Steele
Hundreds of people gathered recently to farewell a man “forged by fire” Coldstream’s John Fenton in Lilydale on 15 May.
The Coldstream CFA Captain, father of four, grandfather and friend passed away in hospital on May 5 after a long battle with illness.
Terrie Fenton, John’s wife said that John was involved with CFA right up until his hospital admission.
“He was fully involved with the CFA and he was a great social person, with a great sense of humour,” she said.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence addressed Parliament on 18 May to pay tribute and express her sympathies.
“I pay tribute to John Fenton, a valued and highly decorated member of the Coldstream fire brigade… My deepest sympathies to his wife Terrie, his family, his friends and indeed his mates at the Coldstream fire brigade,” she said.
Terrie said that John had always been very community minded throughout his life.
“He was involved in the YMCA as a young man and always involved in community and charity,” she said.
“When he got older and we moved to Coldstream and the big bushfires of 83’ happened he said to me, ‘I could be doing something more’.”
John joined the CFA in March of 1983 at the local fire brigade and his service continued from there.
Sean Bethell, Captain from Coldstream CFA said that John throughout his time he was a very positive character.
“He was always involved with the running of the brigade in the roles he held over his 40 years of service,” he said.
“He was also a leading force in the design and purchase of the brigade Ultra-Light tanker.”
Mr Bethell said CFA members looked up to John for guidance and that he was a good mate to talk and have a joke with.
“John was always there to respond with the brigade vehicles to emergencies, he spent many hours at away fires throughout the state and interstate,” he said.
Terrie said he could be a bit cheeky and enjoyed the ‘mateship’ of the CFA.
“He was very much a team player and the friendships he made were ‘forged in fire’” she said.
Community firefighting has changed considerably over the years and Terrie said when John started there was no formal training and there was no safety awareness.
“After the Linton fires, more precautions, training and safety equipment were introduced,” she said.
Terrie said that John lived his life to the full and was as active in the community as he was in his family roles and that John particularly loved travelling with his family over the years.
“We had many great trips overseas,” she said.
At John’s service evergreens were laid out, along with the CFA flag and a guard of honour made up of CFA members, along with the Coldstream fire truck.
“He was a bigger than life person,” Terrie said.
The service was attended by hundreds and the community will feel the sting of loss of a dedicated man whose legacy will live on in those who knew him.
