Michael J. Feeney, OFM

1916 – 2005

Fr. Michael J. Feeney, OFM, was born in Wellesley, Mass., on Dec. 18, 1916. From 1937 through 1942, he attended St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 12, 1942, and professed first vows Aug. 13, 1943. Fr. Michael did his philosophical studies at St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., and St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y. He completed his theological studies at Holy Name College, Washington, D.C.

Fr. Michael professed solemn vows at Holy Name College on Sept. 17, 1946. He was ordained a priest in Washington’s Mount St. Sepulcher Friary June 12, 1948.

His first assignments included parochial vicar at St. Francis Parish, Wanaque, N.J., and procurator at St. Joseph’s Seminary from 1950 to 1952. He then became treasurer and director of athletics at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. In 1964 he moved to Paterson and served as guardian of St. Bonaventure Friary.

Fr. Michael was appointed director of St. Anthony Residence in Boston in 1973. He also served at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and was chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Paterson until transferred to Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., on Jan. 4, 2000.

He died July 11, 2005, in Ringwood. Fr. Michael was 88 years old, a professed friar for 61 years and a priest for 57 years.