James Fenton
James Robert (Jamie) Fenton FRACS
6 April 1961 - 21 December 2016
Orthopaedic Surgeon
James Fenton (known as Jamie) was the youngest child of Jim and Margaret Fenton (nee Kidd). He had three sisters, Kathy, Linda and Evelyn and a brother John. Jamie grew up in Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, attending Apanui Primary School and Whakatane High School, where he was Head Boy in his final year.
Jamie entered Auckland Medical School in 1980. Following House Surgeon years in Rotorua and Adelaide he began his Orthopaedic training in 1992. Returning to the Rotorua Hospital for one year of his training resulted in a strong desire to practise there and, on completing his training, he returned to Rotorua with his young family a few years later and was warmly welcomed back by his colleagues.
Jamie was the youngest of the Orthopaedic Surgeons when he commenced in Rotorua but, providing care for patients in both the Public and Private sector, he quickly became highly respected by colleagues and patients alike. In his private practice Jamie shared facilities and staff with Derek Stanley-Clarke for approximately 18 years, until Derek's retirement two years ago. Jamie's secretary for 13 years, Tania, observed that he was a wonderful boss and friend who cared deeply for his patients and staff alike and that he and Derek had created a great working environment. With a great sense of humour, he readily developed a rapport with his patients providing comfort and reassurance to the most anguished patient, and this was widely appreciated. They often came out of a consultation saying "what a wonderful man and so easy to talk to and down to earth".
Jamie was a skilled and safe surgeon. He was extremely conscientious, always offering his patients the best of care and if he could not provide that he would make sure they would get the best elsewhere. Approximately fifteen years ago, aiming to improve the outcomes, he persuaded Derek to join him in providing a revision hip and knee surgery service for the Rotorua region. This proved a most satisfying and enjoyable experience for each of them as they swapped sides on the operating table and produced greatly improved outcomes for their patients.
Derek noted that he and Jamie had shared values in life and they had beach-side homes only a few kilometres apart in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It was here that Jamie had hoped to retire one day. He was a totally reliable friend and would always be of assistance if called upon and a pleasure to spend time with. He was a keen fisherman and duckshooter.
There was no doubt Jamie's first love was his family. Although fairly private people, he and Shonagh opened their heart and home to many, and anyone who visited was welcomed with open arms. Jamie's much loved wife, Shonagh, and their two sons Sam and Hamish have been left absolutely devastated and heartbroken by Jamie's passing. He was a wonderful husband and father who would do anything for his family. He was also the adored brother and brother-in-law of Kathy and Tony, Linda and Johnny, John and Michelle, Evelyn and Ross and Sue and a much loved uncle.
Sadly, and in common with many surgeons, he sometimes struggled in coping with the stresses of his chosen career and balancing this with the typical issues and stresses of family life. Being the private man he was, Jamie regrettably failed to seek the support of those close to him, be it family, friends, colleagues or professional advisors and, in a moment of acute stress, took his own life. This was totally unexpected and devastating to all he knew.
James will be greatly missed by so many.
This obituary is based upon contributions from Derek Stanley-Clarke FRACS, Shonagh Fenton and Tania O'Brien.