John Fenton Scarff III

John Fenton Scarff III, affectionately known as “Sonny” from the day he was born, January 2, 1936, died July 1, 2024, at his home in Rosemont. The only child of the late John Fenton Scarff, Jr. and Helen P. (Ponton) Scarff, grew up in Adamstown where he encountered his first love, the Carroll Manor Volunteer Fire Department.

After graduation from Frederick High School in 1954, Sonny enlisted in the Air Force, where he flew B-25 bombers and trained as an air traffic controller. He began his career in fire service with the Washington, D.C. Fire Department where he served in active firefighting Battalions and subsequently as a Battalion Chiefs' Aide. In 1966, he was recruited as a senior career fire officer with the Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Dept. His exemplary record in fire suppression also afforded him a position as a Field Instructor with what is now known as the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland.

In 1974, Sonny joined the Marriott Corporation, where he was tasked with the development and implementation of a Fire Prevention & Life Safety program for 11 hotels. Under his leadership and innovative acumen, Marriott became the prototype in the field of hospitality fire protection. During his tenure, Marriott expanded its worldwide footprint to include over 3,500 hotels. 

Upon his retirement in 2012, his initial staff of 2 had grown to 42 Life Safety Inspectors & Engineers. Sonny considered these men and women as part of his family and treated them as such. Sonny was honored to be the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and medals. In 1980, Sonny met his soulmate, Robin, and her three children, and they have been a family ever since. Sonny and Robin retired together in 2012. They began traveling the world, expanding their fire service family, making new memories.......and Sonny bought a bigger tractor. While he wanted to share yet another passion with Robin, she not so politely declined. 

Sonny had a megawatt smile, a crazy sense of humor and a generous spirit. He was a lover of sausage gravy on biscuits, ice cream, dogs and even a cat or two. He loved the sun and the beach, and always had a tan to prove it. He drove Corvettes and pickup trucks. He read anything having to do with the military and politics. He was a fierce patriot, but not always politically correct. Sonny's mission in this life was to protect people from fire. He led by example. He was recognized worldwide by his peers for his courage, his tenacity, his willingness to embrace new technology, and his work ethic. Go in peace, Sonny. Job well done. 

Sonny is survived by his wife, Robin, his daughter, Liz Kline, her husband Tim and their children, Joshua, Leah and Hannah, his sons, Martin C. Silovich, Joseph G. Silovich, his wife Ingrid and their children, Aidan and Ella. 

A celebration of Sonny's life will be held August 3rd, 2024, from 1-5 p.m. at the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick, MD. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Sonny's honor to the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 E. Church St. Frederick, Md 21701; to be allocated for Fire Service Recruitment/Retention.