Thomas Francis Fendon (Fendoni)

Thomas Francis Fendoni passed away surrounded by family and friends at the age of 85 on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 in Port Charlotte, FL.

Tom was born on April 5th, 1940 to Edith and Frank Fendon (Fendoni) at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated class of 1957 from Mendel Catholic High School in the Roseland neighborhood. He joined the United States Air Force becoming a lieutenant and meteorologist in Da Nang, Vietnam. After retiring from service, Tom served as a US postal worker. He continued as a civil servant meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Ann Arbor, Michigan, retiring in the early 1990s.

Tom read, explored, and was a 40+ year practicing Buddhist, passionate about existentialism, phenomenology, psychology. A perennial student, curious philosopher, lover of words and ideas, he never shied away from a good discussion, no matter how controversial. Tom was foundational to Café Socrates, wherein members met at the Charlotte County Library to discuss complex and challenging topical, theoretical, theological, and philosophical issues.

Tom’s spent his days reading, meditating, preparing talks for Café Socrates, watching Matlock & M*A*S*H, eating Natalie’s delicious meals, and watching the birds and wild cats from their lanai at home. Tom rarely neglected his almost daily walks which kept his mind and body agile.

A devoted partner, father, stepfather, grandfather, and great grandfather, Tom is profoundly missed by his wife Natalie, daughters Christina (Judy); Nicolette, and Danielle (Debby); and stepdaughter Marina Grandnoss (Natalie). He was a proud grandfather to his grandchildren Ericka, Shaena, Stacia, Brittney, Aidan, Nadia, Caylin, Evelyn, Paxton, Vale, and Numa, and his many great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his loving daughter, Cathleen, and survived by his brother, Jim.

Tom chose to be cremated. In lieu of flowers, please offer a donation to the Charlotte County Library in his name.