Thomas J. Feeney 1871-1925

FEENEY, LEAHY, DAVIS, KENNEDY, FLANNAGAN, HANNON, RENIHAN, STAHL, WELCH, MOORE, WAGNER, FLYNN, MULLEN

Posted By: The Obituary Fairy (email)
Date: 9/2/2006 at 17:21:15

The Davenport Democrat and Leader; Thursday Evening, January 15, 1925:

Thomas J. Feeney, Well Known Citizen, Dies of the “Sleeping Sickness”

Thos. J. Feeney is “Sleeping” Illness Victim

Thomas J. Feeney, former well known Davenport newspaperman and for the past five years district sales manager for the Dalton Adding Machine company, is dead.

This announcement will cause poignant grief not only in the immediate family circle but among a large following of friends and acquaintances in all parts of the city. For no man was more generally beloved than he.

The final dissolution came at the family home, 1719 Davenport avenue, at 8:30 o’clock this morning. Death terminated a five week’ period of sleeping sickness during the larger part of the time of which the patient was in a comatose state. Death came painlessly and quietly, surrounded by the loved ones - a fitting termination of the kind and gentle life characteristic of the deceased. Previous to the final illness, Mr. Feeney had been in failing health for the past two years.

Beloved by All

To know Tom Feeney was to love him. Always kind and sympathetic, with a word of encouragement and good cheer for all and a “Lift” for those in distress and in need, he endeared himself to all who enjoyed his friendship and his acquaintanceship. If Tom Feeney ever made an enemy in the world, no man knows it. He was a man of sterling character and integrity, honest and sincere in his daily life, as well as in all his business dealings. He was not only kind and gentle, but generous in nature, always seeking an opportunity to do a favor or a kindness for some one. It is just such men as he that makes a better and a happier world, and this fact will be brought home to many now that he has been called from their midst.

But altho gone to his reward his memory will long linger in the minds and hearts of those he leaves behind. They will not soon forget him - no never.
You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will longer around it still.

Mr. Feeney was born in Davenport, Dec. 10, 1871, a son of the late Michael and Mary Feeney, and was in his 54th year. On Sept. 18, 1900, he was united in marriage to Grace A. Leahy, the ceremony being performed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop James Davis, at that time pastor of Scared Heart cathedral.

Ideal Husband and Father

Their 25 years of married life has been an ideal and happy quarter of a century. Mr. Feeney was essentially a home man, preferring its environments and is fireside to that of society. He was a loving husband and a devoted father, making companions of his five boys, as well as being a parent to them.

For many years, Mr. Feeney was a well known newspaper man of Davenport. He was business manager of the old Leader prior to its merger with The Democrat. For ten years he was advertising manager of the Times, and later filled a similar position on The Democrat. For the past five years he has been district sales manager for the Dalton Adding Machine company.
Mr. Feeney was a Christian gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a life-long member of Sacred Heart cathedral. He was a charter member of Loras council, Knight of Columbus and a member of the fourth degree. He was vice president of the Holy Name society of Sacred Heart cathedral. He held membership in Carnival camp, No. 1 Woodmen of the World, and was one of the charter members of the Kiwanis club but more recently withdrew this membership on account of illness.

Survivors and Funeral

Surviving are the bereaved wife and five sons. The latter are Robert L., William H., Donald J., Mark M., and Thomas J. Jr. Robert is a member of the editorial staff of The Democrat.

There are also nine brothers and two sisters. The brothers are John A. Feeney, well known grocer, James J., Joseph L., Raymond G., Ralph M., Louis A., R. Emmet, all of Davenport; Frank W., of Denver and Charles W. of Des Moines. The sisters are Miss Mary E. Feeney of the Order of Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate, New York, and Mrs. John J. Kennedy of Des Moines.

The body was removed to the Halligan funeral home and tonight will be returned to the family residence on Davenport avenue. From here the funeral will be held at 8:30 o’clock Saturday morning, with services at 9 o’clock at Sacred Heart cathedral, where requiem high mass will be observed. Interment will take place in St. Marguerite’s cemetery.

Members of the Knight of Columbus will assemble for the rosary at the home of the deceased at 8 o’clock Friday evening.

The Davenport Leader and Democrat; Sunday Morning, January 18, 1925:

Feeney Funeral

The funeral of the late Thomas J. Feeney was held Saturday morning from the family home, 1719 Davenport avenue, with services at 9 o’clock at Sacred Heart Cathedral. There was a large attendance of sorrowing friends and many beautiful floral offerings were in evidence.

Rev. J. T. A. Flannagan, pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral, celebrated requiem high mass and pronounced the burial absolution. Present in the sanctuary were the following clergy; Very Rev. W. L. Hannon, Rev. R. J. Renihan, Rev. J. P. Stahl, Rev. J. J. Welch, Rev. Moore, and Rev. J. A. Wagner.

Very Rev. Flannagan, assisted by Rev. Moore officiated at the committal services in St. Marguerite’s cemetery.

Casket bearers were J. J. Flynn, Edward Leahy, H. L. Feeney, John Leahy, J. J. Kennedy of Des Moines, and Irwin Mullen.