Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all four of Fenerty's grandparents were Irish immigrants.
During the First World War, Fenerty served in the United States Navy in 1917 and 1918.
He reentered the naval service as a lieutenant, senior grade, in 1933.
He was a member of the law faculty at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1924–1929; member of the Philadelphia Board of Law Examiners 1928–1940; assistant district attorney at Philadelphia, 1928–1935.
He died on July 1, 1952, and was interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.