Robert J. Feeley

Mr. Robert J. Feeley

Martinez, GA –Robert Joseph Feeley, 92, passed away at home on May 24, 2011 after a long-term illness.

Bob was born in Syracuse, NY to Robert S. Feeley and Marie E. Feeley, the oldest of five children. He attended Greenwich High School. Being part of a musical family, Bob developed a love of music, especially big band, and was a talented saxophonist. He joined the army during World War II. During his service, Bob served transporting blinded solders home from Europe and rehabilitating them upon returning to the US. After completion of his service, Bob met and married Catherine Shea in 1946. The couple were married in Riverside, CT and subsequently lived in Baldwinsville, NY and Carmel, NY. They finally settled with their family of three daughters and one son in New Milford, CT.

Throughout his life, Bob was an active member of every community he joined and never seemed to meet a stranger. He loved to sing and took any opportunity to entertain those around him with his voice. As an American of Irish ancestry, Bob had a love of all things Irish, from the Irish oatmeal he ate for breakfast, to the Irish flag that flew in front of his home, to the cherished shillelagh he received as a recent Christmas gift, and was lucky enough to visit Ireland in 1996. His love of the railroad prompted him to join the National Association of Railroad Passengers, and his affinity for antique cars led to membership in the Franklin Club of America. He was an active member of the Catholic Church and also a member of the Knights of Columbus Terence Cardinal Cook Council 8495. While living in New Milford, CT, Bob attended mass daily without fail (and never without doughnuts) at St. Francis Xavier Church and served as a Eucharistic minister. His enthusiasm and loyalty made him a beloved member of the church as well as the New Milford Senior Center. He was sorely missed by all in New Milford, CT when, in 2005, he and Catherine moved to Georgia to escape the New England winters and join their children and grandchildren who had previously migrated south.

Bob is survived by his wife, Catherine, siblings Gordon Feeley, Margaret Merrit, and Joanne Feeley Whipple, his four children: Diane D’Amato of New Milford, CT; Robert and Laurie Feeley of Evans, GA; Kathleen Dolan of Sharon, CT; and Julie and Lembit Paist of Martinez, GA, Ned Dolan of Kent, CT; seven grandchildren: Erin Dolan, Megan Dolan Mollica, Eric Paist, Diane Paist Newsome, Robert Paist, Rory Dolan, and Sean Feeley; five great grandchildren: Luke Mollica, Kendall Shea Newsome, Cole Mollica, Conner Paist and Tyler Newsome; and numerous nieces and nephews. Son Timothy Feeley, brother Edmund Feeley, son in law Thomas D’Amato, and granddaughter Moira Dolan predeceased him.


Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 27, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church with Fr. Gaspar Hegedus celebrant. Honorary pallbearers will be Knights of Columbus Terence Cardinal Cook Council 8495.

The family would like to extend loving thanks to all of Bob's extraordinary caregivers for their years of loving and loyal service. Judy, Dorothy, Edith, Brittany, Trish, Carolyn and Trinity Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The LightHouse for the Blind: www.lighthouse-sf.org/donate

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com