Jon Fox died at home in Waterville, Vt., on September 23, 2025. His final days were sweet and full of laughter. Friends and family traveled to see him from near and far, as if beckoned by his call.
Jonathan Dean Fox was born in New York City on May 27, 1949, the second child of Sherwood Dean Fox and Marcia Seidenbond Fox. Throughout his life, he continued to share a close bond with his two sisters, Janaki Costello and Deborah Fox, who both traveled to Vermont to be by his side when he passed.
An independent thinker and a willful spirit, Jon traveled to California after high school to attend San Francisco State University. It was there that he met his match in Adrianna, who was his equal in passion and vision. Eager to make a better world, they migrated to Vermont in the early ’70s and settled in Waterville. The home they built at the top of the steep hill became a true haven for family, friends and many German shepherds.
Jon and Adrianna raised three daughters on the hill. Jon taught Lissa, Molly and Jill to be fierce and strong and caring. He taught them how to properly stack wood, do the New York Times crossword puzzle in pen, and throw a softball. As kids, they jokingly referred to him as the Almighty Patriarch, but he truly was. He could be gruff and ornery, but underneath that imposing exterior was a deep gentleness. Jon’s natural generosity extended to the girls he coached in softball over two generations, many of whom he stayed in touch with years after he stopped coaching. As a craftsman and builder, he gathered around him a vast community of tradespeople, and helped mentor a new generation of builders. He was a source of comfort to anyone who needed a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on.
A lifelong baseball fanatic, Jon loved the Boston Red Sox, which really means he hated the Yankees. His love for the game manifested itself most strongly in his grandsons, Jasper and Rowan. Jon’s happy place was on his front porch in the sunshine, holding Adrianna’s hand, watching their grandsons toss a baseball on the front lawn.
Jon held his memories close throughout his 76 years, even when dementia made it harder for him to find words or names. Late in his life, he would sit in his shop, surrounded by tools he could no longer use, everything organized and smelling of oil, of summer days spent at the job site, of leather toolbelts and iron nails. He never forgot that he made things with love and care, things that were meant to shelter and nurture, and he knew that he had built much more than houses.
Jon kept his loved ones safe in the world. He was a provider and a protector, and the home and community he built with Adrianna was a refuge for those who knew and loved them.
Jon is celebrated by his wife and partner of 55 years, Adrianna Wood Fox. His spirit lives on in his daughter Lissa Fox and her partner, James Nagle (Montpelier, Vt.), and James’ daughter, Juna Nagle (Washington, D.C.); daughter Molly Fox Zhu, her husband, Kit Zhu, and their sons, Jasper Fox Zhu and Rowan Fox Zhu (Portland, Ore.); and daughter Jill Fox (Montpelier, Vt). Jon is loved by his sister Janaki Costello, her husband, Heine Costello (El Cerrito, Calif.), and their sons, Josh Costello (Berkeley, Calif.), Adam Costello, (New York City) and Jamie Costello (El Cerrito, Calif.), along with their families; sister Deb Fox and her husband, Ron Epstein (Rochester, N.Y.), their children, Eli Fox-Epstein (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Malka Fox-Epstein (Rochester, N.Y.), and their families; dear cousin Karen Mullarkey (New York City); and his best friend Kent’s daughters, Maia Corduan and her husband, Jess Canty (Hardwick, Vt.), and Hiata Corduan (Rockland, Maine), who held a special place in Jon’s heart.
We would like to thank Lamoille Home Health & Hospice for their exceptional care. Every aspect of it, from intake to nursing to personal care, was skilled, sensitive and sincerely concerned about Jon and our family. We especially thank our nurse, Chantal, who is an angel. Please consider making a donation at lhha.org/donate. A celebration of Jon’s life will be held next summer.
This article appears in Oct 8-14 2025.
Thank you for this wonderful recounting of Jon. From conversations I’ve had with him over the years, this was completely accurate, especially doing the times crossword in pen. He was my closest friend growing up in Schenectady and then at SF State. Time and distance could not change what your father was in my life. His spirit will never leave. My love to A and all of you.
It was wonderful to read this obituary and see Jon as an adult person, not so much the older sibling of a longtime friend. I haven’t seen him for many many years but family ties run deep, from 1930s. On behalf of my siblings and me, I have made a donation in his honor, though I’m not sure if, when I did it, I included that. But know it is there.
With love to everyone, Caroline Burkat Hall (aka Chicky to those who remember me as a young person).
A and family, so sorry to hear of Jon’s passing. May you find comfort in all the great memories you have.
Sandy and Butch Duffy
Adrianna and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Although it has been many years since I have seen you, you will remain in my heart.