James Fenwick

Jim Fenwick, 83, of Akron, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 8, 2022, just in time to catch the last two rounds of the Masters Golf Tournament with a view from heaven! Jim was a lifelong resident of Akron. He attended St. Sebastian Grade School and St. Vincent High School where he made many lifelong friends. After high school Jim attended Kent State University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
For most of his adult life, Jim made his living in the car business. He began his career as a salesman at Lyle Chevrolet and in 1979 he began to work with his good friend Bill Maloy at M&M Toyota. Jim quickly became a top salesperson and advanced to become General Manager at M&M and its successors, Montrose Toyota and Summit Toyota. In 2000, Jim was elected to serve as President of the Akron Area Automobile Dealer Association. Jim's fellow employees at the Toyota dealership were like a second family to him for more than 40 years and Jim continued to work at Summit Toyota as "Manager Emeritus" until he retired at the age of 81. Jim treated customers right and developed relationships with many whose children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren purchased cars from him over the years.
A good athlete his whole life, Jim played football, basketball, ran track and raced cars. In 1972 he drove his "Heavy Chevy" to an American Hot Rod Association National Championship. Jim also loved to play golf. He was a founding member at Langmoor Country Club (now Prestwick), and he was a top player in the Akron area for many years. When he turned 50, Jim joined Summit Senior Golf of Akron (SSGOA) and a few years later he became President of the nonprofit organization, a position that he held for more than 20 years. Under his guidance, membership in SSGOA grew to over 500 active members. In addition to playing, Jim also loved to coach. He coached basketball at St. Sebastian Grade School for 19 years and he was always willing to teach skills or give a golf lesson to anyone that wanted to improve their game.
Jim was a resolute, loving and proud father and grandfather who always supported and encouraged his kids and grandkids in all of their endeavors. He had a witty and enthusiastic sense of humor and he loved to tease (lovingly) others, especially his sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was a fan of all Cleveland sports teams and he enjoyed supporting St. Vincent St. Mary sports teams throughout the years. He will be missed deeply by all that knew him and his memory will always be cherished.
Preceded in death by his son Mike, Jim is survived by his daughter Laurie Mellion of Massillon, son James Kevin Fenwick of West Hollywood, California, son Tim (Linda) Fenwick of Stow; grandchildren Mark (Amber) Mellion, Dr. Kate Mellion, Ryan (Ryan Marie) Mellion, Erin Fenwick, Kelly Fenwick and Scott Fenwick; great grandchildren Stephanie, Matthew and Blake Mellion; first wife and mother of his children Maureen Harrison-Russell; siblings Jane Urbanski, John Fenwick, Jude Fenwick and Joan McDonald; special friend Margaret Painter, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Per Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends on Saturday April 23rd at 10:00AM at St. Hilary Church, 2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. Family and friends are invited to attend a lunch reception at the Church Hall immediately after the mass. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Parkinson's Foundation (parkinsons.org) or the Kidney Foundation (kidneyfoundation.org). To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.hummelfuneralhomes.com.