Scholar and Patriarch

Vincent P. Fahey, 90, of Brewster passed away peacefully at his residence at Maplewood Senior Living Saturday, May 30, 2020. His family and many friends will hold him in loving memory for his wisdom, kindness, and enthusiastic embrace of life.

Vincent was born in Irvington, NJ —the next-to-youngest of seven children of Dennis J. and Margaret (Glynn) Fahey. From the start, Vincent was an exceptional student, with a zest for learning that became a hallmark of his life and an inspiration to all who knew him. Following his superb academic career at Seton Hall Prep and University, Vincent was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in Germany as a specialist in encryption. Released from military service in 1953, he continued his studies at New York University, where he completed his Master’s Degree and the coursework required for a Ph.D. in English.

Thousands of students at Irvington High School, Montclair State College, and other institutions came to know the greats of English and American literature—from Shakespeare and John Keats to Walt Whitman and Ralph Ellison—through his discerning eyes. Vincent saw literature, not as an isolated discipline, but as a window into the broader history and spirit of a period. He introduced his English classes to, not only the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, but also the symphonies of Beethoven that conveyed similar passions, reverence for nature, and celebration of the individual. Vincent’s intellectual curiosity and broad interests endured throughout his life. He took his first violin lesson at the age of 84 and, after nearly 80 years away, he resumed piano lessons at age 88.

Vincent was an avid reader, classical music fan, and conversationalist, but his adventures were not only of the armchair sort. He traveled widely throughout his life and had a particular love for London, Paris, Rome, the State of Hawaii and the country of Ireland, where his parents were born. He was an enthusiastic tennis player, health club member, investor, follower of politics, and churchgoer.

Of all his many roles, however, the one he most cherished was that of patriarch. He earned the title through decades of inspiration and devotion to his nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, and his own siblings. Until 2005, Vincent lived with his brilliant disabled brother, empowered him as an individual, and helped him live a busy and joyful life. A decade ago, Vincent moved to Cape Cod, where he became the regular companion of his niece Janet and her husband, Jon Robertson, and added immeasurably to their happiness. And, to the age of 90 when he passed away, Vincent created for his family an unforgettable image of how to age with exuberance and a sense of humor.

Vincent is survived by three nephews, Dennis J. Murphy of Fort Collins, CO and Labastide Murat, France, John F. Fahey of Flemington, NJ, and Jeffrey J. Murphy of Huntington, NY; a niece, Janet Murphy Robertson of East Dennis, MA; eleven great-nephews and –nieces, Brayden Fahey of Frenchtown, NJ, Jeffrey Murphy Simon, currently living in China, Kaileigh Fahey of Smyrna, GA, Kieran Murphy of New York, NY, Clark McIntyre of Rumson, NJ, Katherine Simon Deconinck of Paris, France, Katherine Silver of Washington, D.C., Margaret Murphy of New York, NY, Mandy Marziaz of Denver, CO, Megan Marziaz Fitzgerald of Waxhaw, NC, and Matthew Marziaz of Blairstown, NJ; and eleven great-great nephews and –nieces.

The family is planning a Memorial Mass for a later date.

In honor of the family’s patriarch, Vincent’s eldest nephew Dennis composed this brief epitaph, which echoes W. B. Yeats’ The Lake Isle of Innisfree, one of Vincent’s favorite poems:

Go now I will, to a gentler glade,
My eyes delighting in its marvels,
Listening to its quiet murmurs,
And the laughter of children.

No Guest Book Entries