Tenney Emerson Fales
1948-2024

Tenney Emerson Fales passed peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in Egremont on October 4. His boundless energy and welcoming spirit will be greatly missed.

Tenney is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Hryckvich Fales; his two children, Alexcia Nicole Adams (Paul) and Alice Laura Davey (Nathan); his grandchild Andrew Tenney Adams; his step-grandchildren, Simon and Oliver Alexander-Adams; and his four siblings, James Fales, Susan Marzi (Marty), Bradford Fales (Lynne), and Mary Beth Webler (Bob). He was predeceased by his son Justin and his sister-in-law Gigi.

Born in Norwood, Mass., on September 14, 1948, to the late James Babcock Fales and Charlotte Alice Fales (Marshall), Tenney graduated from McGill University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He met the love of his life, Linda Hryckvich, through his brother Brad's fiance, who worked with Linda and needed Tenney out of her hair, so they set up a double date. Tenney and Linda married in Lenox on May 15, 1971.

Tenney began his family and career in Danville, Penn. In 1976, the family moved to Linda s home town of Sandisfield, where he built his family's first home. He also owned the former Strickland Farm on North Beech Plain Road from 1976-1986. In Sandisfield he began and expanded his company, T.E. Fales Construction. He never retired.

Throughout his life, Tenney loved being outdoors and working with wood, beginning with his first multi-story tree house at the age of 10 and proceeding to build over 200 homes in the Berkshires. Tenney loved building and helping others. He believed in doing what was in the power of his hands to help others. To meet Tenney was to meet a friend.

Tenney was an active member in the congregation as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He served as a pioneer and elder at Great Barrington Kingdom Hall for over 40 years. He enjoyed volunteering in numerous kingdom hall and assembly builds and disaster-relief projects. Hundreds of volunteers could hear his booming voice from one end of the jobsite to the other. And that was without a megaphone.

Working, teaching, volunteering, or playing, Tenney was always busy, although, sometimes his play felt like work to the rest of us. He loved creating Tenneyland, his own style playground, which brought joy and thrills to many. Tenneyland included a circus-grade trampoline and huge rope swings with high-in-the-air, custom-built launch platforms. Even a regular-style swing became a game of who-can-get-the-highest-without-touching-the-ground.

Tenney loved a good challenge and a good laugh. Always gracious and never a sore loser, he made everyone feel included and at home.

A short graveside service will be held November 9, at 1 p.m., at the Sandisfield Center Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to a reception and celebration of his life at 2:30 p.m. at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to The Great Barrington Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and/or Hospice Care in the Berkshires directly or in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family, please visit the funeral home's website.

In his memory, the family encourages you to read a scripture, go outside and play, build something, or help a neighbor.