Joseph F. Fennell III

Joseph F. Fennell III, of East Amherst, entered into rest on January 4, 2022 at age 77. Beloved husband of 53 years to Christine (nee Burns) Fennell; devoted father of Christine (Theodore) Sadlouskos, Joseph (Sabrina) Fennell, Brian (Dana) Fennell and Karen Fennell; cherished papa of Mia, Lorelei, Adeline, Lochlan, Matthew, Nicholas, Zachary and Sloane; loving son of the late Harriet and Joseph F. Fennell Jr.; dear brother of Dennis (Charlotte) Fennell and Elizabeth (John) Mulvihill; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and god-children. Services private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.

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Joseph F. Fennell III, of East Amherst, entered into rest on January 4, 2022 at age 77. Beloved husband of 53 years to Christine (nee Burns) Fennell; devoted father of Christine (Theodore) Sadlouskos, Joseph (Sabrina) Fennell, Brian (Dana) Fennell and Karen Fennell; cherished Papa of Mia, Lorelei, Adeline, Lochlan, Matthew, Nicholas, Zachary and Sloane; loving son of the late Harriet and Joseph F. Fennell Jr.; dear brother of Dennis (Charlotte) Fennell and Elizabeth (John) Mulvihill; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and god-children. Services private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.

From the family:

Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he enjoyed an adventuresome childhood growing up with his brother, Dennis and sister, Betsy. He attended Holy Cross School and Delahanty High School. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University in 1966, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University in 1968.

Joe, a Professor Emeritus at D’Youville College, retired in 2015 after serving at the college for 47 years. As Associate Professor in the Business Department, he served as Chair for many of those years. Joe facilitated many innovative programs during his tenure, and was one of the first professors to introduce online learning. Joe also designed and implemented a program in International Business and one in Health Services Administration. He taught more than 10,000 students over the course of his tenure, positively impacting those many lives.

Joe worked extremely hard and tirelessly to provide for his family, but made sure we had a vacation every summer. Most trips included an historic site, but always also included one or more fun days – perhaps an amusement park or a beach. Many trips were all fun days, like trips to Disney World or Cedar Point. There were also weekend day trips to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and may other destinations. We were always on the move in the summer!

Joe’s love for travel continued after his children were grown, and especially into his retirement. We visited the UK, nine European countries and Hawaii, and even took a cruise to the Bahamas – all with family.

Joe was extremely patriotic, and we feel some of his favorite destinations were Pearl Harbor and the beaches and countryside of Normandy.

Joe never visited an historic site he didn’t enjoy. He was a wonderful historian, especially strong in American history and geography. We found out as we traveled internationally that he also had a vast breadth of knowledge in those areas, as well. He loved the history and architecture of the Old World. Joe was blessed to have had the chance to visit many centuries-old churches and castles, as well as the ruins of even older structures. It was so much fun to travel with our husband, Dad and Papa – what great memories we were able to create! All love and laughs!

Joe was always happy – dancing, singing, whistling, clapping his hands. His joy was infectious, and he was a delight to be around. His children, and then grandchildren, loved to play with him, and he never hesitated to join the fun, including getting right down on the floor, whether to play games, do puzzles, play grocery store, or drive trucks. Joe loved enjoying movies and other entertainment experiences with his entire family, and was a fan of all things Disney, Muppets, Indiana Jones and Star Wars in particular.

But most importantly, Joe was a loving and devoted husband, Dad and Papa, who focused on his family above all. As a husband, Joe was, and is, eternally devoted to his beautiful wife of over 53 years, Chris. Together they built a rock-solid foundation based in love for their family to grow and flourish from, and are the greatest role models any of us could ask for in marriage and parenting. We are all truly blessed to have had him and his love. Joe/Dad/Papa will live on in all our memories, and in many experiences and smiles to come that will be inspired by his love and joy.