Dr. Henry J. Fanning, Jr., 86

Mar 12, 2020
Dr. Henry J. Fanning, Jr., 86, of South Dartmouth, died Monday March 9, 2020 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Julie P. (Kern) Fanning and the son of the late Henry J. and Doris A. (Lindsay) Fanning. 

Born in Nantucket, he lived in New Bedford until 1984 when he moved to South Dartmouth. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church.  

He was employed at Bridgewater State College for 37 years holding the positions of Director of Admissions, Dean of Continuing Education and Dean, Academic Administration. He was also a professor of Counseling in its Graduate School. 

Dr. Fanning, a graduate of Coyle High School, received degrees from Boston College, Bridgewater State College, Boston University and Clark University. Throughout his life, Dr. Fanning was a member of many professional and social organizations. He was the President and member of Anthony Beach Association, President and member of the New Bedford Assembly Association, and Trustee of the Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford. He was also a library volunteer and docent of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. He served in the U.S. Army, 11th Airborne Division, for two years as a Specialist and while stationed in Augsburg, Germany, he met his wife Julie. 

Survivors include two sons: Peter Kern Fanning and his wife, Cynthia of Ventura, California and Christopher Mark Fanning and his wife, Eileen of Westport, Connecticut; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Fanning, Mitchell Patrick Fanning, Ryan Patrick Fanning, Michael Joseph Fanning, and Erica Marie Fanning.  

He was the brother of the late David Mark Fanning.  

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Bedford. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Nativity Preparatory School of New Bedford.

 
Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, visit www.saundersdwyer.com