Obituary
Allan “Fenton” Tompkins, 62, passed away on July 17, 2024, in Venice, Florida. A full life well lived ended peacefully under Empath Hospice Care with his beloved significant other, Deborah at his side. Deborah’s compassion, kindness, devotion, and abilities were a blessing for him in recent years as he coped with a challenging and progressive cancer. He was born on August 12, 1961, in Philadelphia, PA; the son of John K. Tompkins, III and Marjorie (Townsend) Tompkins, of Wynnewood, PA.
Fenton attended The Episcopal Academy at its Merion, PA campus; where he played a gritty game of football and wrestled varsity for four years with success that was reflected in being voted co-captain during his senior year. He was popular with classmates and teachers for his positive attitude which was, perhaps, first evidenced by his willingness to accept the role of Mary in his second grade Christmas Pageant.
Fenton’s ability to connect with people in a positive way made for a lifetime of successful business pursuits. First in the labeling and packaging industry, and later in the boating/sailing world. He enjoyed respect and loyalty of both peers and consumers, as well as, he had a remarkable ability to develop a positive, common ground with all those with whom he interacted.
Fenton genuinely liked people, it showed every day in every way. He also loved the sea and maintained an affinity with coastal waters from Cape May, NJ (a lifetime “summer resident”); Pinellas County, FL beaches (e.g. Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores through Redington Beach); FL Keys; both Caspersen Beach and Manasota Key Beach near Venice, FL (most recently). Also, the open ocean as he often reflected and shared with others his epic Caribbean sailing adventures.
Fenton’s roles were varied, rich, and rewarding; Son, Brother, Cousin, Husband, Father, Friend, Coach, Companion, Business Owner, Lover of Mother Nature’s wonders and the spirituality inherent therein all played with an integrity that included some of his traits of hard-working, wit, tenacity, temper, and passion. He had nothing to hide and everything to give. He lived with a loving and courageous spirit by living life on his terms, and through his illness, right up to his rendezvous with Father Time.
He is survived by his Significant Other, Deborah Durell; Brothers, Kirby Tompkins and Timothy Tompkins; Son, Kyle Tompkins (wife, Siera); Son, Christopher Tompkins; and many other extended family and friends whose lives Fenton enriched. He was preceded in death by his Father, John K. Tompkins, III; Mother, Marjorie Tompkins; Sister, Elise (Tompkins) Partridge. Fenton’s memory will be cherished and kept alive in the hearts of those who loved him.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Rest in peace! See you soon enough!
“Gonna put the world away for a minute,
Pretend I don’t live in it.
Sunshine gonna wash my blues away.”
Jimmy Buffet
Gone from My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
- Henry Van Dyke