John Joseph Feeney
August 6, 1927 ~ February 21, 2018
Portland - Reverend John Joseph Feeney, 90, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Northbridge, MA, where his niece was overseeing his care.
John, the son of Daniel E. and Catherine Feeney, was born in Portland on August 6, 1927. He attended St. Dominic's Grammar School and Cheverus High School. After completing two years of classical studies at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT, he entered St. Paul's Seminary in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where he completed his clerical studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland by the Most Reverend Daniel J. Feeney, D.D., Seventh Bishop of Portland, on June 12, 1954.
During his years of full-time priestly ministry, Fr. Feeney served in many assignments throughout the Diocese of Portland. These assignments included: St. Joseph Parish, Portland (Summer 1954) as Parochial Vicar; St. Patrick Parish, Lewiston (Fall 1954-1969) as Parochial Vicar; Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Mechanic Falls (1969-1971) as Pastor with an added responsibility as the Director of Diocesan Family Life (1970-1974); St. Mary's Parish, Bangor (1971-1978) as Pastor; St. Patrick Parish, Portland (1978-1985) as Pastor with an added responsibility as Associate Director of Office of Vocations (2 terms spanning from 1985-1991) and finally at St. Bartholomew Parish, Cape Elizabeth (1988-1997) as Pastor.
In addition, Fr. Feeney served the diocese in the following capacities: Chaplain to: Stella Maris Circle of the Daughters of Isabella, Lewiston; Catholic Nurses Association, Lewiston; First Friday Associates, Portland; Ancient Order of Hibernians, Portland; Greater Portland Council of Catholic Men; Knights of Columbus of St. Bartholomew Parish, Cape Elizabeth; Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Fr. Sebastian Rasle Assembly, South Portland; Confessor to: Sisters of Mercy Convent, Lewiston; Priest-Consultant to: Child & Family Mental Health Services Agency, Lewiston. In addition, he was a member of the following diocesan advisory bodies: Diocesan Office of Family Life Ministry; Diocesan Pastoral Council (1981-1984); Council of Priests; Diocesan Board of Education (1987-1990); and Priests' Personnel Board (1987-1990); Vicar Forane: Southern Cumberland Deanery (beginning in 1981, with a reappointment from 1982-1985).
After he relinquished the administrative responsibilities associated with being a Pastor, Fr. Feeney continued to exercise priestly ministry in many parishes, especially in the Greater Portland area. He also led parish missions, did retreats for people in recovery, and offered spiritual direction.
Fr. Feeney was once described as "a gentleman with nice manners ... with dignity in bearing and speech ... broad minded ... and being pious, humble and zealous." At the time of Fr. Feeney's retirement, Bishop Joseph wrote to him and recapped his many ministries and contributions to the life and faith of the Catholic Church in Maine. He also recalled that Fr. Feeney "played an important role in a project aimed at bringing peace to Ireland by bringing Catholic and Protestant Irish children to this country for visits so they could experience peace and toleration."
Fr. Feeney is predeceased by his brothers Daniel, Francis and James. He is survived by his brother Richard Feeney of South Portland and his loving nieces and nephews and their children.
While Fr. Feeney devoted his life to the church and his parish families, he found great joy in family celebrations with his brothers, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He officiated at many family weddings, baptisms, and funerals. His great nieces and nephews benefited greatly from his presence in their lives and holiday celebrations with dear "Uncle John".
Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Reception of the Body and Liturgy of the Hours at 2PM on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at St. Bartholomew Parish, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Fr. Feeney will lie in State at St. Bartholomew Parish from 3-6PM on Sunday.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Monday, February 26, 2018 at St. Bartholomew Parish with The Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D., as principal celebrant. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland.
Arrangements are under the direction of Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes.
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My husband and I first met Father Feeney at St. Patrick’s Church in Portland when he baptized our older daughter. He made that baptism very special and unlike any other I have ever attended by going to the front door of the church and having us walk our baby into the building. He talked about how she was joining not just the building, but the community of Catholics. The ceremony continued as we all moved toward the baptismal font. Everything Father Feeney did was imbued with thought and love for his fellow believers (and beyond, I’m sure.) He was a great pastor at St. Bart’s in Cape Elizabeth and brought the congregation together with his thoughtfulness, his humor, and his beautiful singing. He will be greatly missed. Godspeed, Father… Anne Swift-Kayatta, Cape Elizabeth
– Anne Swift-Kayatta
Father Feeney The Great . Our mother May & Father Feeney at our neighbor Mary Margaret house in South Portland in the piano room on Saint Patrick’s Day and they would sing those old Irish standards. He will always be remembered by us as Father Feeney the Great! Hanlon Family
– Larry Hanlon
Fr. Feeney was an assistant at St. Patrick’s in Lewiston when I was a child until he was transferred about the same time I left for college. He was a model priest. I met him again decades later when I was working on a diocesan committee, and found him to be as I remembered him from my youth…a model priest.
Michael Poulin, Lewiston
– Michael Poulin
Mary, Anne Marie, Claire and the Feeney Family, Father John was such a wonderful and caring man, he will be missed, Prayers and Condolences to you all. CAROL CALENDINE-FOGG
– Carol calendine fogg
Fr. Feeney, my friend. He truly was a gentle person and very spiritual. He also understood the emergence of lay ministry very well, encouraging me to take theology courses at BC. I often think of him in gratitude in my role as a parish Faith Formation Facilitator. Thank you for your vision, Father Feeney.
– Romeo Marquis
Thank you for your friendship Chumsy RIP
We love you,
Mike and Angela Carleton
– Mike and Angela Carleton
And i new Nancy Feeney that have died and peter well so sorry for you all.
Kristen Tully
– kristen tully
I will remember Father Feeney singing wonderful Irish songs. In August 2000, my mother, sisters and I traveled with Fr. Feeney to Ireland. It was a whirlwind bus tour of Ireland. It was an amazing experience.
Less than a year later, my mother passed away. Fr. Feeney officiated at my mothers funeral. I will never forget being at the cemetary and Fr. Feeney started singing an Old irish song. It was a fitting tribute.
I hope there will be many Irish songs sung for Father Feeney. He was a fun, amazing and wonderful person. Slan Abhaile!
– Mary Loring Strout
A man of character and charm. A priest of compassion, peace, and true holiness. A friend to children and families. A Roman Catholic leader by example, in his and our daily lives. An Irish Blessing for him and all his family and nation.
The Frates Family
– Robert A. Frates
A wonderfully caring priest and pastor, Father “Chumzy” was always so approachable and kind to all who sought his counsel. He will be greatly missed by the many he faithfully served throughout his many years of priesthood. As he passed into eternal life, our Heavenly Father no doubt said to him “Welcome to heaven John, you good and faithful servant. May Father John Feeney rest in the eternal peace of God’s heavenly kingdom.
– Dick Talbot
The first time.i met fr feeney wasn.t sure how too greet him.then someone said hello father so after that i would say good moring father how are you and he say moring kathy and we tell each to have a good day and that made me feel good now may he rest in peace he will me sadly missed alot kathy sinclair vezina i work at 75state street
– Kathleen Sinclair Vezina
I was so sorry to hear that father Feeney died. I like him a lot. He was a good priest I new peter the dad and peter the nephew. They were a nice family. I was. So sorry for the family. i liked to talk to father at the dinners and at the auction at Holy cross. Peter the nephew and i took a art program on the island with a bunch of nuns Kristen Tully
– kristen tully
To the family of Father John Feeney,
I had the pleasure of working with Father Feeney for a number of years at Saint Patrick’s Church and school in Portland as the D.R.E. He was loved by the children and the parishioners. His spiritual guidance along with his brilliant sense of hurmor and fun extended to all.
His passion for the Irish Children’s Program convinced me immeadiately. We signed up to be parents of an Irish child for six weeks in the summers first year of the program. What I thought would be a six week program became a life long commitment. My family will be eternally grateful to Father, as we have cherished our Irish child who has become an important part of our family and who even recently, this Christmas, visited our home. Kevin, has become one of our family, along with his wife and two children.
We will always be grateful to Father Feeney for his love, commitment and leadership to our Catholic Faith. Rest In Peace Father. John.
Cynthia McGarry and Family
– Cynthia McGarry
Pastor at St. Matthew’s RC church, Whitefield NH