Thomas Frank Fennessy, 91

Thomas Frank Fennessy, born in Libby on July 26, 1929, passed away peacefully at home Jan. 1, 2020, following a long and fruitful life lived largely in the Kootenai Valley.

The younger son of Joseph Fennessy and Audie Marie Foote Fennessy, Tom attended Libby schools and graduated from Libby High School in 1946. He attended Gonzaga University in Spokane for two years before transferring to Loyola Dental School in Chicago.

While there he met Gerry (Geraldine Hertel Laing) and following their graduation in 1952 — him from dental school and her as an RN — they married. The ceremony was held in March of 1954 in Bitburg, Germany. Tom worked as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force and the couple traveled throughout Western Europe in their Austin Healey.

Tom and Gerry returned to Libby around 1955. He started his dental practice and she went to work at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. In the mid-60s, Tom’s practice outgrew his leased space and he built a new office at 401 Louisiana Ave., which he shared with Dr. Jim Graham for many years.

All four of their children shoveled the snow, mowed the lawn, mopped the floors and developed x-rays in the office, where Gerry often worked as the receptionist.

Tom’s years as a dentist reflected his commitment to the people and community of Libby. Over the years, he was actively involved with the JCs; was a board member at Cabinet View Golf Course; became a founding member of Kootenai Winter Sports and Turner Mountain Ski Area; served as the Libby School Board chair; was a member of the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree); was celebrated as Nordicfest Royalty; and was a longtime member of the Board at St. John’s.

He also spoke at Libby High School graduation ceremonies and was elected to the Libby High School Hall of Fame.

Tom loved his God, family, friends and community — but as much as almost anything, he loved the cabin at Crystal Lake. In 1960, he bought it from the Brushbill family and spent the next 20 plus years building docks, rafts and decks. He eventually incorporated the old garage into the cabin and generally amazing everyone with his engineering knowledge and woodworking craftsmanship.

The crown jewel of this era was the “Blue Boat,” built from Popular Mechanics plans. He patiently taught generations of water skiers aboard the vessel. It has been on the water more than 50 years and still is capably teaching youngsters and oldsters alike.

An avid outdoorsman, Tom also relished his hunting seasons (with mountain goat, moose, antelope, deer and elk stories) and annual trips to Ingomar for “goat season” into his late-80s. His cribbage prowess was almost as legendary in camp as the red cowboy hat. He was also an accomplished cook, with “Fennessy Spuds” among the first recipes he conquered. He followed them with the best popcorn, skinny french fries, rosettes and venison dollar steaks in the country.

Besides the office, Tom was at home in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. The whole family spent many days and nights hiking to Leigh, Wanless, Geiger, and/or Cedar lakes. He knew — and sometimes shared — the locations of the best huckleberry patches, fishing holes and vantage points (think Scotchman Peak or Dome Mountain) the area has to offer.

A true ambassador for life in this “Last Best Place,” Tom is legendary for his quiet, understated accomplishment in literally every thing he put his mind to. Following retirement, Tom and Gerry were able to resume their travels, with trips to Branson, Mo.; Orlando, Fla.; New Zealand; Australia; Aruba; The Masters; and the Fountain of Youth Spa in the Palm Desert. Sometimes they were joined by friends (the Thompsons, Hanleys, Schoknechts and Shadles) and sometimes by family (the Kriskovichs, Marsdens, Terry’s clan and Tim’s clan).

With the travel bug calmed, Tom and Gerry settled back into the welcome comforts of Libby and Crystal Lake to enjoy visits with anyone and everyone that found themselves in this corner of the world. Classmates from dental school; family from Ohio, Florida, Oklahoma; folks met in the service; or folks met on the most recent plane trip — they all were treated like one of the family.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Gerry and his four children: Terry (his wife Tiina and their sons, Sean and Ian); Tim (his wife Nelou and their children, Tori and Trevor); Tracy (her husband Joe and their children, Tanner and Nikki); and Tammy (her husband Chuck and their children, Conner and Lexi).

The family wishes to give special thanks to Linda Andreasen, Julie Hopfer, Home Options Hospice, VA CBOC Libby Clinic, Patti Leonard, LPN, and Severine Basham, PC-C.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the 108 Club Montana Scholarship at Gonzaga University in the name of Thomas Fennessy: GU 502 East Boone Ave.; Spokane, WA 99258-0098 or www.gonzaga.edu/giveonline.