Frederick W. Phinney

Frederick W. Phinney, 91, of Randolph, NH and Yarmouth Port, MA died peacefully on January 21, 2014 at home surrounded by his six children. His wife, Eleanor Sanburn Phinney, predeceased him after fifty-eight years of marriage. He is survived by his six children: Ben, Joanna, Fred Jr., John, Harriet, Martha and their respective spouses: Barbara Phinney, Lhakpa Phinney, Yutian Phinney, Adam Berger; by ten grandchildren: Sam, Louisa, Jamie, David, Peter, Warren, Sarah, William, Elijah, Alana; by two great grandsons: Robbie and Henry; and by two brothers: Arthur and William. His faithful golden retriever, Lucy, also survives him. Fred, born in Lawrence, MA on May 15, 1922, was the son of Rev. Arthur O. and Lucille (Flagg) Phinney and was raised in Concord, NH and Lynn, MA. He attended Lynn English High School, Browne and Nichols School, Harvard College and Episcopal Theological School. Fred was awarded two Silver Stars for gallantry and intrepidity in action with the 44th Infantry Division in World War II. During his long career as an Episcopal priest he served in Waterbury, CT, Brookline, MA, Beverly Farms, MA, Lake Forest, IL, Limuru, Kenya, and Rome, Italy, Cambridge, MA and Wellesley, MA . Fred, who captained the Harvard cross-country team, enjoyed physical activity until the end of his life. Hiking, skiing, gardening, reading and classical music were some of his favorite pastimes. He was a member of the Randolph Mountain Club, Appalachian Mountain Club, St. Barnabas Church in Berlin, NH and St. Marys Church in Barnstable, MA. A true gentleman, Fred will be remembered for his humility, high standards, articulate self-expression, learning and compassion. Throughout his career he worked to build bridges between people of different ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, and perspectives. Above all, Fred was a family man whose greatest joy was being with Eleanor and his children. A burial service will be held at Woodside Cemetery in Yarmouth Port, MA on June 23 and a memorial gathering will be held in Randolph, NH in the summer. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the Randolph Mountain Club (P.O. Box 279, Randolph, NH 03581) or St. Barnabas Church (P.O. Box 545 Berlin, NH 03570). Condolences may be sent to Ben Phinney (104 Canton Ave. Milton, MA 02186). The Bryant Funeral Home (www.bryantfuneralhome.net) is in charge of arrangements.