Moving Fenton tribute

One by one, hour upon hour, they stepped to the podium. Wrought

with emotion, insight and courage, they stood between two billboards

of photographs, before an estimated 700 mourners, beneath the

oppressive injustice of random tragedy.

One by one, dozens who spoke at Saturday’s memorial service

outside the Corona del Mar High football fieldhouse shared their

memories of Sean Robert Fenton, alternately triggering laughter and

tears, imagery and regret, inspiration and despair.

One by one, their words magnified the brilliance of a life cut

short, when Fenton, a 20-year-old junior computer science major at

Yale and a former academic and athletic standout at CdM, died in an

automobile accident that also claimed the lives of three others in

the SUV he was driving along icy Interstate 95 in Fairfield, Conn. in

the predawn hours of Jan. 17.

One by one, with exponential impact, they spoke of a life force

brimming with wisdom, compassion and love, of a being not only

blessed with the ability to conjure broad dreams, but also the

determination, devotion and talent to attain them.

One by one, from age groups and walks of life as diverse as

sun-drenched Southern California is from nippy New England, their

words constructed a mosaic of a young man, an old soul, who would be

king.

“He had an incredible combination of human qualities,” said Yale

graduate Julian Revie, who worked with Fenton in the school’s

entrepreunerial society, for which Fenton was co-head of technology

and Web site designer. “He was one of the most upstanding members of

the Yale community ... someone who changed the way others thought

about the way they led their lives.”

Said CdM assistant football coach Ed Blanton: “He was a people

person who genuinely cared about those he touched. He didn’t care if

you were smart or big, dumb or small. He just met you where you were

and treated you like a human being.”

Said Jim Warsaw, whose sons played sports with Fenton: “He was a

rare spirit with integrity, passion and values of life.”

Said his father, Bob: “He belonged with his friends.”

Said family friend Cathy Kroopf: “He was an old soul at age 10.”

Said friend Wendy Karlin: “He was the best person I know.”

Said younger brother Avery, a freshman at CdM: “I couldn’t have

asked for a better brother. I loved him so much.”

*

Plans for several tributes to Fenton were revealed Saturday.

Revie said the entrepreneurial society will name a conference room

for Fenton in a building on campus known for the ample sunlight that

floods through its glass walls.

“If you’re ever on the Yale campus, you can look up to the

building on the corner of York and Elm, to a big second-floor

conference room called the Sean Fenton Room,” Revie said. “The

brightest room at Yale.”

*

Edward Boyd, parent of a boy who played youth baseball with Avery,

announced a group of parents will soon initiate a drive to fund a

scoreboard to be erected in Fenton’s name on the school’s freshman

football field. Details about how to contribute will be forthcoming.

*

CdM football coach Dick Freeman said there will also be a Magnolia

tree, estimated at 15 feet high, planted in memory of Fenton on the

school’s varsity practice field, not far from where the grass meets

the pavement outside the program’s fieldhouse.

“There will be a memorial plaque for Sean and kids can think of

him while they’re catching a little shade before practice,” Freeman

said.

Freeman said the tree is being donated, at cost, and the school

district has agreed to transport it for planting. The cost of the

project is estimated at $1,000. Information about donations can be

obtained by phoning CdM High: (949) 515-6000.

*

Those interested in reading tributes to Fenton and/or submitting

their own, may do so at the Yale Entreprenurial Society Web site:

www.yes.yale.edu.